Colorado Rapids forward Andre Shinyashiki has been named the 2019 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year, the league announced today.
“It’s such an honor,” said Shinyashiki. “Going against guys that are such high quality, like Hassani [Dotson] and [Brenden] Aaronson, and for me to win the award, not necessarily over them but together, is good because those guys are very quality players and to come out on top and win is amazing and a dream come true.”
“We couldn’t be more proud of Andre’s achievement,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “It’s a testament not just to his natural talent, but also to his strong work ethic and mentality. He was a key figure in our club’s turnaround this year and we’re excited to see him build on this year’s performances and become a key contributor for us in 2020 and beyond.”
Shinyashiki, 22, becomes just the second Colorado Rapids player in MLS history to be named AT&T Rookie of the Year after Dillon Powers won the honors in 2013.
Selected by the Rapids as the fifth overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas, Shinyashiki made his MLS debut in the club’s 2019 home opener against the Portland Timbers. The former University of Denver standout scored in the dying moments of the dramatic 3-3 draw in what was the coldest game recorded in MLS history.
Shinyashiki, finished his rookie year with 31 appearances for the Rapids, 18 as starts, scoring seven goals and adding three assists in that span. The São Paulo, Brazil, native proved his worth as an impact player with over half of his goals ultimately being game-winning or game-equalizing goals. The Rapids compiled an unbeaten 6-0-3 record in regular season matches where he recorded either a goal or an assist.
Prior to joining the Rapids, Shinyashiki attended the University of Denver where he led the program to its first ever College Cup appearance in 2016 and scored 28 goals in his senior season in 2018, the most in NCAA men’s soccer in 20 years.
The MLS year-end award winners were determined by votes from current MLS players, MLS club technical staffs (coaches, technical directors/GMs) and a select group of media members.
All-Time AT&T Rookie of the Year Winners
2019: Andre Shinyashiki – Colorado Rapids
2018: Corey Baird – Real Salt Lake
2017: Julian Gressel – Atlanta United
2016: Jordan Morris – Seattle Sounders FC
2015: Cyle Larin – Orlando City SC
2014: Tesho Akindele – FC Dallas
2013: Dillon Powers – Colorado Rapids
2012: Austin Berry – Chicago Fire
2011: C.J. Sapong – Sporting Kansas City
2010: Andy Najar – D.C. United
2009: Omar Gonzalez – LA Galaxy
2008: Sean Franklin – LA Galaxy
2007: Maurice Edu – Toronto FC
2006: Jonathan Bornstein – Chivas USA
2005: Michael Parkhurst – New England Revolution
2004: Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution
2003: Damani Ralph – Chicago Fire
2002: Kyle Martino – Columbus Crew
2001: Rodrigo Faria – MetroStars
2000: Carlos Bocanegra – Chicago Fire
1999: Jay Heaps – Miami Fusion
1998: Ben Olsen – D.C. United
1997: Mike Duhaney – Tampa Bay Mutiny
1996: Steve Ralston – Tampa Bay Mutiny
