Thursday, October 19, 2006

Midfielder Christian Gomez , D.C. United's leading scorer, was named yesterday as one of three finalists for the MLS most valuable player award.

Gomez (14 goals, 11 assists) was joined by Real Salt Lake forward Jeff Cunningham , the league's top scorer with 16 goals, and Houston Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario . The winner will be announced Nov. 9.

Four others from United were named finalists in various categories: Troy Perkins (goalkeeper), Bobby Boswell (defender), Peter Nowak (coach) and Alecko Eskandarian (comeback player).

The goalkeeper of the year will be announced today. New England's Matt Reis and Colorado's Joe Cannon are the other finalists.

-- Steven Goff