
NEW YORK (Monday, November 21, 2016) – Major League Soccer today announced Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro as the 2016 MLS Newcomer of the Year. The award recognizes the season’s most impactful player who made his debut in MLS but has prior professional experience.
- Video soundbytes from Lodeiro are available HERE.
A two-time FIFA World Cup participant with Uruguay in 2010 and 2014, Lodeiro has 51 career caps with La Celeste, and most recently featured in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying. The former AFC Ajax player also competed in the Copa America Centenario this summer and won the Copa America title with Uruguay in 2011.
The Newcomer of the Year Award recognizes players with previous professional experience, which makes rookies ineligible for consideration. Similarly, players eligible for Newcomer of the Year are ineligible for Rookie of the Year.
The award was voted on by MLS club management, media, and current MLS players. Below is a breakdown of the voting results:
2016: Nicolás Lodeiro – Seattle Sounders FC
2015: Sebastian Giovinco – Toronto FC
2014: Pedro Morales – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2013: Diego Valeri – Portland Timbers
2012: Federico Higuain – Columbus Crew
2011: Mauro Rosales – Seattle Sounders FC
2010: Alvaro Saborio – Real Salt Lake
2009: Fredy Montero – Seattle Sounders FC
2008: Darren Huckerby – San Jose Earthquakes
2007: Luciano Emilio – D.C. United