Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu was named Major League Soccer's rookie of the year on Wednesday.
Edu, 21, finished the season with four goals and one assist.
Maurice Edu of Toronto FC was named MLS rookie of the year.
(Aaron Harris/Canadian Press)
He had 24 shots in 25 games, all of which he played as a starter.
Edue played 2,180 minutes, third on the team behind co-captains Jim Brennan and Carl Robinson, and was one of the bright spots on the first-year franchise, which finished last in the MLS with a 6-17-7 record.
"His enthusiasm rubs off on other guys," Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston said of Edu.
"He comes every day and works very hard every day. We're fortunate to have him."
Adam Cristman of the New England Revolution and Dane Richards of the New York Red Bulls were also nominated for the award.
The award finalists were determined in a poll of MLS players, general managers, coaches, referees and members of the media.
Standout at Maryland
Edu was selected first overall in the 2007 draft after a stellar career at the University of Maryland.
He was a first-team NCAA All-American and Hermann Trophy semifinalist in 2006.
In October, the California native, who spent the pre-season rehabilitating a pelvic injury, made his first appearance with the U.S. national team, playing in a friendly against Switzerland.
In another award announced Wednesday, rookie coach Preki of Chivas USA was voted MLS coach of the year.
With files from the Canadian Press
