Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Michael Gspurning and forward Eddie Johnson are finalists for three year-end MLS awards, Gspurning for Goalkeeper of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, and Johnson for Comeback Player of the Year. Winners will be announced Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, the league said Thursday.
Gspurning finished first in goals against average (0.73), first in fewest goals allowed (15), second in win percentage (.690), fourth in save percentage (74.6) and fifth in shutouts (8). He also posted two of the longest shutout streaks this season at 370 minutes (7th) and 335 minutes (10th).
An off-season signing from Greece’s Super League, Gspurning became the first goalkeeper from outside the CONCACAF region to lead the league in goals against average, and his GAA ranked third all-time in MLS history.
Gspurning is competing with Dan Kennedy of Chivas USA and Jimmy Nielsen of Sporting Kansas City for keeper, and with Victor Bernardez of San Jose and Federico Higuain of the Columbus Crew for newcomer.
Johnson set a club record with 14 goals and led MLS with nine goals from headers. He previously won the Comeback Player of the Year in 2007 with Kansas City.
Johnson is up against Alan Gordon of San Jose and Chris Pontius of D.C. United.
The Sounders play the second leg of the Western Conference finals Sunday at 6 p.m. at CenturyLink Field against the Los Angeles Galaxy, who hold a 3-0, aggregate-goal lead.
