Major League Soccer and the US and Canadian games in general are well-represented in Concacaf’s 2018 awards, which the confederation announced on Tuesday.
Sebastian Giovinco earned the most dap among MLSers, as Toronto FC’s Italian superstar was named to the Male Best XI as well as finishing No. 3 in the Male Player of the Year reckoning.
The Atomic Ant was joined in the Best XI by his TFC teammate Michael Bradley, reflective of the Reds’ dogged run to the final of the Concacaf Champions League. New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips also features in the squad, as does Minnesota United and Costa Rica defender Francisco Calvo.
New San Jose Earthquakes head coach Matias Almeyda won Men's Football Coach of the Year, though unfortunately for Quakes fans, it was for his work as manager of Chivas Guadalajara, who edged the aforementioned Toronto side to hoist the 2018 CCL trophy.
Veteran MLS referee Mark Geiger came in second in the Male Referee of the Year category behind Mexican official Cesar Arturo Ramos; Geiger recently retired from on-field work to take up a new position with PRO, the Professional Referee Organization.
Elsewhere, US men’s national team pool member Joe Corona took home the Goal of the Year award for a golazo scored for Liga MX giants Club America in a CCL match vs. Panama’s Tauro FC, while a bevy of US women’s national teamers won Concacaf honors, including several who play for NWSL teams affiliated with MLS clubs.
Check out the full rundown of 2018 Concacaf awards on the confederation's website.
