Toronto FC announced its annual Team Award Winners for the 2008 Major League Soccer season. This year’s winners – Carl Robinson, Chad Barrett, Marvell Wynne and Todd Dunivant were all recognized at a team function on Tuesday.
In no particular order, this year’s winners are:
Honda Most Valuable Player: Carl Robinson: This is the second straight season that the Toronto FC midfielder will be recognized as an invaluable member of the club. In the team’s inaugural season, Robinson received co-MVP honours along with defender Jim Brennan. Once again in 2008, Robinson split his Toronto FC playing duties with the Wales National team as they competed in qualifying matches for the FIFA 2010 World Cup. On October 15, Robinson reached the milestone of earning his 50th Cap in their 1-0 loss to Germany. The midfielder started in all 27 Toronto FC games he played; the three matches missed during the MLS season were all due to international duty. His leadership shined not only on the field but also in the locker room where he continued to be a positive role model and mentor to the younger players.
Budweiser Golden Boot: Chad Barrett: Barrett joined Toronto FC in a trade involving the Chicago Fire on July 27, 2008. A proven goal scorer with the Fire, Barrett was under pressure to produce the same, and anxious to contribute to his new team. Arriving with five goals with his former club, Barrett made his presence felt in just his second game with Toronto, scoring the game winning goal in Colorado against the Rapids on August 9. The forward finished the 2008 season with nine goals – four of them coming in a TFC uniform. That tied him for eighth spot on the league’s Budweiser Golden Boot list. On September 3, 2008 the UCLA product signed a four year contract extension with the club, and looks to build on his 22 career goals next season.
Defender of the Year: Marvell Wynne: Now in his second season with Toronto FC, Wynne has been a key defender for Toronto despite spending time away with the U.S. National Team, and Men’s Olympic Soccer Team. This past season he scored his first ever MLS goal at home against the Houston Dynamo on September 27, and followed that up with his second goal of the season in Dallas October 11. Known for his pace, Wynne has also developed a reputation for showing respect for his fellow players both on and off the field and in 2008 finished the season with just one caution and committing just 17 fouls.
U.S. Soccer Federation Humanitarian of the Year: Todd Dunivant: Even though Dunivant’s season was cut short by a serious ankle injury that required surgery and months of rehabilitation, he continued to go above and beyond making numerous appearances in and around the community throughout the 2008 season. Dunivant participated in coaching clinics and various promotional events for Toronto FC. The midfielder also participated in a trip to Bloorview Kids Rehab where he visited sick children, and handed out toys and signed autographs for TFC’s young fans and supporters. Dunivant’s last game of the 2008 season was June 21 at home against Kansas City; he will be fully fit and ready to go for the upcoming 2009 campaign.