The Red Bulls’ Mike Petke is a finalist for MLS Coach of the Year award.
The Long Island native — who was hired in January to his first gig as a head coach — was joined by Real Salt Lake’s Jason Kreis and the Portland Timbers’ Caleb Porter. The winner will be announced Monday, Dec. 2.
Petke, 37, led New York to the team’s first meaningful trophy, the MLS Supporters Shield – awarded for the best record in the league. The former standout New York defender — who holds the franchise record for most games, starts and minutes played — helped New York earn a MLS-best 59 points off a 17-9-8 record.
The Red Bulls, who qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the 10th time in 11 seasons and the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League by virtue of winning the Supporters’ Shield under Petke’s watch, were the highest scoring team in the league with 58 goals while conceding the third-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference (41).