Jolley good

MLS hands out humanitarian, fair-play awards

ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- Major League Soccer announced on Monday that MetroStars defender Steve Jolley has been named the 2002 United States Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year.

Meanwhile, Colorado Rapids midfielder Mark Chung captured the individual 2002 MLS Fair Play Award, while the Kansas City Wizards collectively took home this season's team MLS Fair Play Award.

Jolley was selected in recognition of his contributions to the community through the Just Jolley Foundation, a charitable organization the defender established with his wife, Pilar.

"It's really important to both Pilar and I that we entrench ourselves in the communities where we live, and in the communities that support us," said Jolley. "We learned a huge lesson after last September, especially where we live [Weehawken, N.J.], about how supportive your neighbors and others in the community can really be when you need them most.

"Our goal, using whatever resources we are lucky enough to have, is to do our small part to make a difference, both within our own community and wherever else possible."

During the 2002 calendar year, Jolley succeeded in raising nearly $18,000 for a variety of important causes. Through donation solicitation and personal auction efforts, he was able to raise more than $10,000 for two families directly affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center: a neighbor and the family of a close college friend.

Inspired by that success, Steve and Pilar launched the Just Jolley Foundation in July, legally establishing it as a nonprofit organization in New Jersey. Since its inception, the organization has already raised nearly $8,000 toward several causes.

Jolley has been one of the most durable and consistent performers for the MetroStars for the last three seasons. Since joining the club in a trade on April 19, 2000, the 2001 All-Star has started all but one of the 104 competitive matches played by the MetroStars -- a club record.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes the MLS player who demonstrates exemplary community involvement. Other finalists for the honor included Eddie Pope of D.C. United and Jimmy Conrad of the San Jose Earthquakes.

Fair play

The MLS Fair Play Award consists of two honors, one for the individual player regarded as the league's best sportsman and a separate honor for the team that accrues the lowest disciplinary point total during the regular season using a formula that includes fouls committed, caution points and ejections.

The 32-year-old Chung, the Rapids' leading scorer and the only player in MLS to register double-digits in goals and assists in 2002, finished the season without receiving a caution or sending-off for the fourth time in his seven year career. The 1997 Fair Play Award winner started 27 regular season games and five postseason contests without incurring on-field disciplinary sanctions.

Chung, one of MLS' most skilful players, has been shown only four yellow cards during the course of his career (all with the MetroStars, 1999-2001). His first-ever card came on Aug. 28, 1999 against San Jose, his 113th game played in MLS. The league's second all-time leader in games (203) and minutes played (17,430), Chung is also the most fouled player in MLS history (456).

The Kansas City Wizards earned the MLS Team Fair Play Award for the second time in club history (1998) after compiling a league-low 191 caution points and just 47 yellow cards. The team also committed a league-low 362 total fouls and was the only club not to surpass 445 fouls. Led by coach Bob Gansler, the Wizards advanced to the MLS playoffs as the No. 8 seed before being eliminated by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the quarterfinals.

The MLS Fair Play awards are designed to honor respect, sportsmanship and teamwork. Also nominated for the individual award were Kansas City's Chris Klein and New England's Steve Ralston. Major League Soccer head coaches, general managers, players, the Professional Soccer Reporters Association and a panel of referees voted for the individual award.

 

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