PDL News Release
Monday, November 25, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – The Colorado Rapids’ Dillon Powers has been named Major League Soccer’s Rookie of the Year, becoming the third consecutive former PDL player to claim the prestigious award. Powers, who played for the Austin Aztex in 2012, claimed the award ahead of another pair of former PDL standouts. Powers’ Rapids teammate, Deshorn Brown of Reading United, and the Sounders FC U23’s DeAndre Yedlin, were also named as finalists. Both were 2012 All-League selections.
Powers’ time in Austin was limited by injury, with the standout Notre Dame midfielder held to a pair of games last season. It didn’t take long for the potential he showed to come through in MLS for the Rapids, however, as he displayed his physical talents and reliability while starting 29 matches and logging 2,457 minutes for the Rapids. The 22-year-old contributed five goals and six assists, second on the Rapids in both categories.
Brown had standout seasons for both Reading United in 2012 and the Des Moines Menace in 2011, with the Jamaican forward named to the PDL All-League team last year after finishing tied for the league-lead with 13 goals in 13 matches for Reading. Brown’s prolific run continued this summer as he scored 10 goals for the Rapids to help them reach the playoffs. He was also called up to the Jamaican national team for the first time.
Yedlin was also named to the PDL All-League team in 2012 after a standout season with the Sounders FC U23. A homegrown signing for the Sounders prior to the 2013 season, Yedlin’s purposeful play down the right side saw him make 30 starts in his rookie season as he recorded a goal and two assists. The U.S. U20 international also represented his country at the FIFA U20 World Cup during the summer.
Powers follows in the footsteps of 2011 honoree C.J. Sapong (Reading United) and 2012 honoree Austin Berry (Chicago Fire U-23). The PDL, which has seen more than 150 players selected in the MLS SuperDraft in the past five years, continues to provide a proving ground for top professional prospects to compete as they look to make the jump to the next level.