HARRISON, NJ (Nov. 13, 2013) – The 2013 Supporters’ Shield-winning New York Red Bulls announced their annual team awards winners on Tuesday, as voted on by members of the local media.
Midfielder Tim Cahill earned the team’s Most Valuable Player for the first time. In his first full season in Major League Soccer, the Australian International and 2013 MLS All-Star led the Red Bulls with 11 regular-season goals and chipped in five assists in 27 starts. Cahill was known for his clutch performances and had a number of highlights throughout the season, tallying five game-winning goals – three of which came after the 75th minute. He also recorded two game-tying goals in the last 15 minutes of games this year. The 33-year-old put his name into the MLS record book when he scored the fastest goal in league history just eight seconds into New York’s 3-0 win over Houston on Oct. 20. In two playoff games, Cahill notched one goal and one assist. Cahill joined the Red Bulls as a Designated Player on July 26, 2012 following a successful stint at English Premiership side Everton FC and featured in 12 regular season matches for New York last year, tallying a goal and three assists.
Defender Jamison Olave was the team’s Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. The center back marshaled New York’s back line and featured in 29 regular-season games, 27 of which were starts. Olave led all New York defenders with four goals while playing a total of 2,368 minutes. In games in which Olave played, New York’s record was 17-6-6. The Red Bulls conceded the third-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference. Olave completed his first season as a Red Bull after being acquired by New York, along with forward Fabian Espindola, on Dec. 3, 2012 from Real Salt Lake in exchange for allocation money.
Goalkeeper Luis Robles was named the team’s Humanitarian of the Year. In his first full season in New York, Robles was active in the community, consistently visiting local children's hospitals on a monthly basis. Robles regularly offered a helping hand at clinics and training programs for underprivileged children and community relations efforts on behalf of the Red Bulls. He still maintains ties with his hometown in Arizona by hosting a series of clinics. The only Red Bull to start in every MLS game this season, Robles is also heavily involved in the national initiative known as Athletes in Action, an organization that uses sports as a platform to help answer questions about faith and religion. The Humanitarian of the Year award is determined by members of the Red Bulls front office staff.
2013 New York Red Bulls Team Awards:
Most Valuable Player: Tim Cahill
Team Golden Boot Winner: Tim Cahill (most regular-season goals)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jamison Olave
Newcomer of the Year: Jamison Olave
Humanitarian of the Year: Luis Robles
- Determined by local members of the media
- Determined by Red Bulls front office
