WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010
KEVIN PAYNE
D.C. United President & CEO:
We're all very proud of Andy winning the MLS Rookie of the Year Award, which he richly deserved. The last D.C. United player to win the award was Ben Olsen in 1998 -- the fact that each wore number 14, and each played with a fierce commitment and great skill and intelligence has not been lost on us. We look forward to Andy continuing to improve and expect him to have an even better second season.
DAVE KASPER
D.C. United General Manager:
We are extremely proud of Andy's accomplishments in his first year with United, as this award is well deserved. Andy is a special player and, more importantly, a special person. We are excited about his future with our club.
ANDY NAJAR
2010 MLS Rookie of the Year:
It was just so exciting. To be only 17-years-old and to be Rookie of the Year, honestly, it's huge. So, I am so excited for this opportunity, and I want to say thanks to everyone who voted for me and to everyone who has supported me - I owe so much to them.
It's exciting for me, it's exciting for the club and our Academy, but it is still important to work hard. This year has been hard for the club, so it is great to have this award, but our focus is on getting better next season.
My relationship with the fans is very special. You have to work hard for them always. I want to give thanks to them, because like my teammates and coaches I know they support me - they are behind me. To win that award in particular is amazing. I want to say to them thank you so much, and next year, we are going to be much better than this.
I have always said, when I would come to United games and [Olsen] was playing, I wanted to be like him. I loved how he played the game, he always played with heart, with passion - he loved to play. I said to myself one day I would like to wear his number and play for D.C. Now I actually wear [Olsen's] number, it is amazing!
