AGOOS, REYNA, STEWART: 2001 HONDA FINALISTS

U.S. National Team Trio Chosen by Record 251 Sports Journalists for Coveted Soccer Award

LOS ANGELES (November 19, 2001) - United States national soccer team defender Jeff Agoos, midfielder Claudio Reyna and midfielder/forward Earnie Stewart were named today as finalists for the 2001 Honda Player of the Year award at a press conference in Los Angeles.

Agoos and Stewart both received their first nominations as finalists even though they both have been with the national team for over ten years. Reyna, the winner of the 2000 Honda Player of the Year award, joined goalkeeper Kasey Keller and defender Marcelo Balboa as the only four-time finalists in the history of the award.

All three finalists were members of the 1998 World Cup squad and this year led the U.S. national team to qualification for its fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Agoos, 33, is a first-time finalist even though he first appeared with the national team in 1988. This year he anchored a defense that shut-out Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago during World Cup qualifying. He also was honored as the MLS defensive player of the year and led his club team San Jose to the MLS championship.

Reyna, 28, is attempting to become the first back-to-back winner and second two-time winner of the award. In 2001 the U.S. did not lose when Reyna played, which perhaps best demonstrates the captain's importance to the team. The midfielder currently plays for the Glasgow Rangers in Scotland, where he is a regular starter.

Agoos and Reyna both played for national team coach Bruce Arena in college at the University of Virginia.

Stewart, an 11 year veteran of the national team, also is a finalist for the first time. The leading U.S. scorer in 2001 at age 32, Earnie's 5 goals against Mexico, Honduras and Trinidad & Tobago made him the U.S. all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying with 11 total goals. A native of Holland, Stewart plays for NAC Breda in the Dutch first division.

A record total of 251 sports journalists nationwide selected these three players in a vote that concluded on Tuesday October 23. The players will now await the announcement of the winner at the 2001 Honda Player of the Year award ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday December 12 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

The previous winners of the Honda Player of the Year award are: Claudio Reyna (2000), Kasey Keller (1999), Cobi Jones (1998), Eddie Pope (1997), Eric Wynalda (1996, 1992), Alexi Lalas (1995), Marcelo Balboa (1994), Thomas Dooley (1993) and Hugo Perez (1991).

Created in 1991 by Fútbol de Primera, the leading Hispanic soccer company in the United States, the Honda Player of the Year award is given annually to the best player on the U.S. national team as chosen by the media. To become eligible for the award, a player must play in at least three international matches for the national team during the year.

Fútbol de Primera will exclusively broadcast in Spanish the 2002 FIFA World Cup on its nationwide network of 100 radio stations. For updates on the Honda Player of the Year award or to access previous press releases, please visit Fútbol de Primera on the internet at www.LaRadioDelMundial.com.