Four LA Galaxy players are finalists for 2014 MLS Awards

Major League Soccer announced the finalists for end of the year awards today, and the LA Galaxy have four players who finished in the top three of their respective categories. Forward Robbie Keane is a finalist for MLS Most Valuable Player, Defender Omar Gonzalez is up for Defender of the Year, Stefan Ishizaki is up for MLS Newcomer of the Year, and A.J. DeLaGarza is up for Humanitarian of the Year.

Defender of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year will be announced on November 25th. Omar Gonzalez won MLS Defender of the Year in 2011. He had 22 starts as part of the Galaxy backline that allowed an MLS low 37 goals this season. He also scored four goals and recorded two assists this season.

A.J. DeLaGarza's work raising over $25,000 for Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, visiting sick children at the hospital, and giving his time to soccer camps for kids has been an inspiration to many this year. The story of Luca has touched Galaxy fans, and the way his teammates and fans rallied around him is one of the more memorable things about the 2014 season.

On December 3rd, MLS will announce the Newcomer of the Year and MVP. Robbie Keane recorded his best season for the LA Galaxy this year scoring 19 goals and recording 14 assists. These were good for third best in MLS, and tied for second in assists; the highest combination of categories in the league. Keane also led MLS in game winning assists on the year with six.

Stefan Ishizaki made 30 appearances this season, scoring five times and adding seven assists. He had two goals and two assists in his first five appearances with the club. Although he hasn't been a regular starter over the last month, he is a great role player when Bruce Arena needs a little more pace.