The Red Bulls announced the winners of their team awards today. Captain and forward Thierry Henry was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player, forward Luke Rodgers was named Newcomer of the Year, Jan Gunnar Solli took home the Defensive Player of the Year Award, and Stephen Keel was the team’s Humanitarian of the Year. All of the awards except for the Humanitarian of the Year were voted on by members of the local media.
By leading the team with 14 goals in the regular season, Henry took home the team’s Golden Boot and finished third in the league. The French striker played in and started 26 games, logging 2,266 minutes, four assists and also notched his first MLS playoff goal in the team’s 2-0 wild-card win over FC Dallas on Oct. 26.
In his first MLS season, Rodgers finished second on the team in goals with nine, despite missing two months of the season with plantar fasciitis. The team had an impressive 9-5-9 record in Rodgers’ 23 games played. He also had three assists and scored vs. L.A. on Nov. 3 in the Conference Semifinals. Right back Jan Gunnar Solli was voted as the team’s Defender of the Year. He playing in 31 of 34 games, and his seven assists tied him for both the team lead and tops among league defenders.
Keel, the team’s Humanitarian of the Year, earning his way into the lineup at the end of the season with his physical play and aerial ability. He set career highs in games played (16), games started (13), minutes played (1,226) and assists (2). Off the field, Keel hosting clinics for underprivileged children, visited hospitals and served as a spokesman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He recorded two public service announcements for the MDA, attended their camps, answered phones at their telethon and donated tickets.