Chicago Fire forward Robert Beric named finalist for MLS Newcomer of the Year

Chicago Fire forward Robert Berić is one of three finalists for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award, the league announced today.

Berić, who finished his first season in Chicago tied for second in the league with 12 goals, is looking to become the first Fire player to win the award. The Slovenian international is up against Sporting Kansas City’s Alan Pulido and Lucas Zelarayan of the Columbus Crew.

Berić joined the Fire from Saint-Etienne in France’s Ligue 1 in January.

Three groups contributed to the voting: current MLS players, MLS clubs (Coaches, Technical Directors/General Managers), and select media members from local and national outlets.

The winners will be announced in the coming weeks.

2020 Major League Soccer Awards Finalists (Listed in alphabetical order by last name within each award category)

Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player Finalists

• Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)
• Nicolás Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders FC)
• Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
• Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC)
• Diego Rossi (Los Angeles Football Club)

MLS Defender of the Year Finalists

• Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union)
• Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC)
• Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists

• Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)
• Eloy Room (Columbus Crew SC)
• Matt Turner (New England Revolution)

MLS Newcomer of the Year Finalists

For this award, “newcomer” is defined as a player with previous professional experience who made his MLS debut in 2020

• Robert Berić (Chicago Fire FC)
• Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City)
• Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew SC)

AT&T MLS Young Player of the Year Finalists

For this award, “young player” is defined as a player age 22 (born on or after Jan. 1, 1998)

• Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union)
• Daryl Dike (Orlando City SC)
• Diego Rossi (Los Angeles Football Club)

Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year Finalists

• Jim Curtin (Philadelphia Union)
• Oscar Pareja (Orlando City SC)
• Greg Vanney (Toronto FC)

MLS Comeback Player of the Year Finalists

Honors an MLS player who has overcome injuries and/or adversity in order to achieve success during the 2020 regular season

• Kevin Molino (Minnesota United FC)
• Milton Valenzuela (Columbus Crew SC)
• Bradley Wright-Phillips (Los Angeles Football Club)

MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year

• Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers)
• Mark-Anthony Kaye (Los Angeles Football Club)
• Justin Morrow (Toronto FC)

MLS Referee of the Year Finalists

• Joe Dickerson
• Ismail Elfath
• Jair Marrufo

MLS Assistant Referee of the Year Finalists

• Kathryn Nesbitt
• Cory Richardson
• Corey Rockwell