New York (October 15, 2019) – Colorado Rapids forward, Andre Shinyashiki has been named Rookie of the Year for the 2019. The 5th overall draft pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft notched 7 goals and 3 assists in 31 games played in his rookie season.
Shinyashiki Wins Rookie of the Year
Shinyashiki burst onto the American soccer scene his senior year at Denver University where he blasted home 28 goals and was a finalist for the Mac Herrman Trophy (NCAA Player of the Year for Men’s soccer). He was selected fifth overall by the Rapids. He made a memorable debut in the Rapids opening match of 2019, by sending home a late equalizer at snow covered Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Shinyashiki went on to make 17 starts over his team’s final 21 games as the Rapids burst up the table, going from wooden spoon candidate to playoff hopeful upon the firing of Anthony Hudson.
Shinyashiki becomes the latest college draft pick to win the award. The most recent was Atlanta United’s Julian Gressel in 2017. Last year’s winner, Corey Baird, was a Homegrown signing for Real Salt Lake out of Stanford.
Shinyashiki beat out Brenden Aaronson, the young attacking midfielder from the Philadelphia Union, who burst onto the scene early this year after being signed right before the season. Aaronson got more vote from the clubs than Shinyashiki, but Shinyashiki ran away with the players and the Media vote giving him a pretty comfortable win in the voting. Minnesota United’s Hassani Dotson rounded out the top three.
The way the voting shook out:
- Andre Shinyashiki (COL) – 32.58%
- Brenden Aaronson (PHI) – 24.45%
- Hassani Dotson (MIN) – 15.07%
- Frankie Amaya (CINCY) – 3.98%
- Chase Gasper (MIN) – 3.79%
Social Media Surprise
While doing some interviews with the Rapids media team this morning, they pulled up facetime with his college coach from Denver University, where he not only congratulated him on being a finalist, but also broke the news to him that he won:
"I'm telling you you're not just a finalist buddy, you won it."
"What do you mean?
Shoutout to @DU_MSoccer head coach Jamie Franks for helping us break the news to @AShinyashiki9!#Rapids96 | #Elevate pic.twitter.com/9AHX4AuXgJ
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) October 15, 2019
The Rapids also recruited Colorado Avalanche Captain, Gabe Landeskog to send him a video message congratulating him on winning the award.
.@GabeLandeskog92 @AShinyashiki9
🤝
Winning
Rookie of the Year pic.twitter.com/ztXTWKM5y0— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) October 15, 2019
