Major League Soccer

Cooper Wins Comeback Player of the Year

FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper was pegged as the MLS Comeback Player of the Year following his 18-goal performance in 2008.

Nov 22, 2008 5:39:28 PM

MLS: Kenny Cooper, FC Dallas, June 2008 (ISI)

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MLS: Kenny Cooper, FC Dallas, June 2008 (ISI)

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FC Dallas

In an official press release, the MLS announced that FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper has won the 2008 Comeback Player of the Year award.

On the back of his 18 goal season, the 24-year-old Cooper was being strongly considered for the award given his tough season in 2007 that ended after eight matches due to a broken tibia. Today those rumors were made fact as Cooper topped the voting from a pool of media members, players coaches and general managers.

Finishing second in the running for the 2008 Golden Boot after LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, the Dallas native started all 30 of his team’s games this season and on top of his 18 goals, chipped in three assists.

Playing with Dallas since 2006 since, Cooper has made 75 appearances for the club, scoring a total of 33 goals. Prior to signing with the MLS, Cooper was a reserve with Manchester United, but was never able to crack the first team squad and was loaned out twice, the first time to Academica Coimbra in Portugal and the second time to Oldham Athletic of Football League 1.

Cooper was also selected as part of the MLS’ 2008 Best XI and participated as a starter in this year’s Sierra Mist All-Star Game.

-- Shane Evans, Goal.com