HARRISON, N.J. (November 3, 2015) – New York Red Bulls Goalkeeper Luis Robles, Midfielder Mike Grella and Head Coach Jesse Marsch have each been named finalists for Major League Soccer’s 2015 Awards, MLS announced today.
Robles has been named a finalist for Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year after a historic 2015 regular season. Robles started and played all 34 matches for the Red Bulls, earning 18 wins and nine shutouts, and setting new club records for victories and clean sheets along the way.
Grella is one of three candidates for Newcomer of the Year, an award that recognizes the best player with previous professional experience who made his MLS debut in 2015. The Long Island native returned home this season and recorded nine goals and seven assists. Grella also made history in a late October match against Philadelphia, setting a new record for fastest goal in league history with a marker just seven seconds into a win over the Union.
Marsch has been named a finalist for Coach of the Year after guiding New York to its second Supporters’ Shield. Marsch’s side also set new franchise records for wins in a season (18) and home wins in a season (12). New York also led MLS in goal differential (+19) and goals scored (62).
The finalists earned the most votes in polling of three voting groups:
- Current MLS players
- MLS Clubs (Coaches, Technical Directors, Chief Business Officers and PR Directors)
- Media members who consistently covered the 2015 MLS Regular Season
The Red Bulls also have several plays amongst the finalists for AT&T Goal of the Year and MLS Save of the Year, which will be decided by voting at MLSsoccer.com from now through December 2.
The Red Bulls are home on Sunday, November 8, to host the second leg of an Eastern Conference Semifinal against D.C. United. The Red Bulls took the first leg, 1-0, last weekend in D.C. Kickoff at Red Bull Arena is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, with coverage on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
Coach of the Year Finalists
- Jesse Marsch (New York Red Bulls)
- Oscar Pareja (FC Dallas)
- Carl Robinson (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists
- Bill Hamid (D.C. United)
- David Ousted (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
- Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)
Newcomer of the Year Finalists
- Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact)
- Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)
- Mike Grella (New York Red Bulls)
Best player with previous professional experience who made his MLS debut in 2015.
