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Score one for L.A. Galaxy's Ruiz edges Revs' Twellman for MLS MVPPosted: Friday October 18, 2002 12:40 PMUpdated: Friday October 18, 2002 2:46 PM
ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- Los Angeles Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz and New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman will line up against one another in Sunday's MLS Cup championship game. But Ruiz already scored one victory, taking home the league's Most Valuable Player award on Friday. Twellman finished second in the voting, ahead of midfielder Mark Chung of the Colorado Rapids. Ruiz was the league's leading goal-scorer during the regular season, while Twellman was the overall scoring leader, counting assists. Ruiz had 24 goals and 49 points, while Twellman had 23 goals and 52 points. Ruiz and Twellman will be in the spotlight Sunday in MLS Cup at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The MVP award was announced by league officials at a news conference in Providence.
Coaches, players and media members vote for MVP. The 23-year-old Ruiz also is the playoff leader with seven goals and 16 points in five games. The Guatemalan, known as "El Pescadito" (The Little Fish), played in Greece for PAS Ioanina for six months last year after seven years with CSD Municipal in Guatemala. On Thursday, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound striker won the goal of the year award for a score against the Columbus Crew on July 27. He took a pass from Alejandro Moreno from the left to the right and volleyed the ball from 6 yards to the far side of the goal. Ruiz gave the Galaxy an outstanding scorer, something they lacked last season, when they lost the championship game to San Jose, 2-1 in overtime. The Galaxy was led last season by Luis Hernandez with eight goals, and Cobi Jones with 22 points. Last year's MVP was the Miami Fusion's Alex Pineda Chacon, who led the MLS with 19 goals and 47 points. He is now a backup with the Revolution, who chose him in the dispersal draft after Miami and Tampa folded. Ruiz's goals included nine game-winning tallies in pacing the Galaxy's run to the Supporter's Shield as the top team in MLS during the regular season. "This award is something that fills me with pride given its importance, said Ruiz. "I am sure that this achievement will also be a source of pride for the Guatemalan people. I would like to dedicate the award to God, my family and my teammates." Ruiz is the youngest player ever to win MVP honors, eclipsing the mark of 26 set by the Dallas Burn's Jason Kreis in 1999. In just his first MLS season, Ruiz took the League by storm, finding the back of the net six times in the Galaxy's first four games. "Carlos has set a new standard for international players who wish to come compete in MLS with his exciting play and outstanding results," said Galaxy GM Doug Hamilton. "This reward is a true testament to his ability and work ethic, which allow him to create goal scoring opportunities out of the smallest of openings and put constant pressure on our opponents." The rugged striker scored both Los Angeles goals in a 2-1 overtime victory against D.C. United in his league debut on March 23 and created a buzz for the Galaxy fans the entire season, becoming the first-ever MLS player to score more than 50 percent of his team's goals during a single season. Ruiz finished the season with seven multi-goal games, including a hat trick on Aug. 31 to clinch the Galaxy's seventh consecutive trip to the playoffs. "Carlos' success in MLS is based on his hunger to excel and the fact that he came into the league with the desire to take the next step in his international career," said Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid. "He quickly integrated into the team and was willing to become part of the Galaxy family. "His large repertoire of scoring abilities and commitment to our team played an invaluable role in our success this season." Ending the season on a six-game goal-scoring streak, Ruiz almost single-handedly earned Los Angeles the Supporter's Shield and the top seed in the playoffs. The Most Valuable Player award goes annually to the player whose
presence made the biggest impact on his team's overall performance during
the regular season. Ruiz was selected by voting from MLS coaching staffs,
general managers and players along with members of the Professional Soccer
Reporter's Association.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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