FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil has been voted a finalist for the 2019 Major League Soccer Newcomer of the Year Award, the league announced today. Gil joins New York City FC’s Heber and Toronto FC’s Alejandro Pozuelo as one of three finalists for the honor, given annually to the player with previous professional experience who had an outstanding debut season in MLS. The winner is decided by votes from the media, MLS players, and club technical staffs, and will be revealed on Wednesday, Oct. 16 ahead of the Revolution’s Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs opener at Atlanta United FC on Saturday, Oct. 19 (1:00 p.m. ET – Univision / NBC Sports Boston). 

Gil becomes the second Revolution player to be named a finalist for the MLS Newcomer of the Year Award since it was introduced in 2007, joining Jermaine Jones (2014). Acquired in what was a then-club-record transfer from Deportivo de La Coruña in February 2019 prior to the season, Gil will look to continue building on his trophy collection from his debut MLS campaign, which saw him captain the club for 23 straight matches en route to a berth in the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. After becoming the second Revs player to start 34 games in a season, and playing all but eight minutes, fans voted Gil as the JetBlue Revolution Team MVP. The 26-year-old Spanish playmaker was also voted Players’ Player of the Year by his teammates, and named the Midnight Riders’ Man of the Year by the club’s supporters. Gil posted team highs with 10 goals and 14 assists to claim the Revolution Golden Boot trophy.

The MLS Newcomer of the Year Award was first introduced for the 2007 season, with Luciano Emilio claiming the inaugural honors for D.C. United. Should Gil win the award, he would become the fourth European player to earn the honor, joining last year’s winner Zlatan Ibrahimović (2018 – LA Galaxy), Sebastian Giovinco (2015 – Toronto FC), and Darren Huckerby (2008 – San Jose Earthquakes). Here is a look at all 13 of the honor’s prior recipients:

One of the league’s most effective creators, Gil finished the season ranked first among all newcomers – and tied for fourth overall – with 22 combined goals and primary assists. His 14 helpers ranked fifth in MLS and paced all newcomers, while his 12 primary assists were tied for second most league-wide. Those totals made Gil one of only four MLS players to reach double digits in goals and assists this season, and the second Revolution player to accomplish the feat along with Lee Nguyen (2017).

The Valencia, Spain native catalyzed the Revolution attack all season, recording the fourth most touches in MLS (2,662) and notching 107 chances created according to Opta, second-most in the league and first among all newcomers by a margin of 24. In addition, he ranked fourth in MLS with 73 chances created from open play, and paced the league with 730 successful passes into the final third. Gil’s impact was also evident on the defensive side of the ball, where he won 50 possessions in the final third, 12 more than the next-closest player. His 239 possessions won overall also ranked first among MLS newcomers. 

CARLES GIL’s 2019 SEASON AT A GLANCE:

• Voted the club’s JetBlue Revolution Team MVP by fans, Players’ Player of the Year by his teammates, and Midnight Riders’ Man of the Year by the club’s supporters.
• One of two Revolution players to start 34 games in a single season, playing all but eight minutes, and captained the side in 23 straight games to close the season.
• Earned the team’s Golden Boot trophy after becoming the second player in club history, and one of four in MLS, to reach double digits in goals (10) and assists (14).
• Ranked second in MLS and paced all MLS newcomers with 107 chances created, and finished fourth overall with 73 chances created from open play, according to Opta.
• His 14 assists marked the fourth-most in a single season in Revolution history.
• Led all MLS players in possessions won in the final third (50) and successful passes ending in the final third (730), and ranked fourth league-wide with 2,662 touches.