Michael Gspurning finishes third in MLS Newcomer and Goalkeeper of the Year awards

Michael Gspurning may have had one of the best statistical seasons in MLS history, but voters in the MLS awards were apparently unswayed. Gspurning finished third in both the Goalkeeper and Newcomer of the year voting, well behind winners Jimmy Nielsen and Federico Higuain.

That Gspurning didn't win either award was not necessarily a huge shock. Much of the chatter leading up to the award was that voters didn't feel as though he played enough games to really be considered, despite his 12-4-5 record, eight shutouts and .73 goals against average. That he finished behind both Jimmy Nielsen and Dan Kennedy was a bit surprising, though. Kennedy allowed more goals than any other goalkeeper in the league this year.

Similarly, the more surprising part of the Newcomer of the Year voting was who won and how little he played. Higuain only made 13 appearances for the Columbus Crew after joining the team in midseason. Two of the voting blocs apparently noticed that, as he was third among clubs and players. But Higuain was the overwhelming winner among the media, carrying him over Victor Bernardez.