PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri was one of three players nominated for the Premios Univision Deportes MLS Player of the Year, it was announced today as Univision Deportes unveiled the 25 categories and nominees for the inaugural Premios Univision Deportes (Univision Sports Awards).
In his second season with the Timbers, Valeri, 28, established Timbers MLS-club single-season record marks with 11 goals and 14 assists, including three multi-assist performances. His 14 assists ranked second overall in MLS this season. During the 2014 campaign, Valeri became the Timbers MLS career leader in goals (21) and assists (27) and was named the club’s Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year. The midfielder also became the first Timbers MLS player to compile consecutive seasons with at least 10 or more goals and assists. By virtue of his performance on the field, Valeri was named a 2014 MLS All-Star and delivered the game-winning assist in a 2-1 victory over FC Bayern Munich on Aug. 6 at Providence Park.
Valeri is joined by forward Erick “Cubo” Torres and Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Marco Pappa as nominees for MLS Player of the Year.
A total of 65 sports figures are nominated for their accomplishments on and off the field across multiple sports, including soccer, basketball, baseball, boxing, auto racing and more. For a full list of nominees, please visit univisiondeportes.com/PremiosUD
Premios Univision Deportes winners will be decided by fans and a diverse committee of sports personalities, including journalists, broadcasters, and retired world class athletes. Fan selected awards include Best Goal, Best Extreme Sports Athlete, Best Social Post of the Year and Best Artistic Performance by an Athlete. Fans can vote once a day per category at univisiondeportes.com/PremiosUD through Sunday, Dec. 14, at 8:59 p.m. (Pacific).
Premios Univision Deportes will air on UniMás on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 9 p.m. (Pacific) with a simulcast on Univision Deportes Network. Univision Deportes is the sport division of Univision Communications Inc, the leading media company serving Hispanic America.
