We're down to the final four finalists for the 2022 Independent Blue Cross Player of the Year after all the votes were counted in the opening round last week. Over the next 24 hours the top four will be whittled down to just two so don't miss out by casting your vote on Instagram before time runs out!
After the opening round featured all of the Union's starters, the voting will be tight as three pieces of the best defense in MLS history battle the club's single-season goalscorer. In the opening matchup it will be a defensive battle as three-time Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake takes on MLS Defender of the Year runner-up Kai Wagner. Blake is the two-time defending winner winner and makes another strong case for this fourth award after setting another club record with 16 shutouts and a momentum-changing save in the Eastern Conference Final against New York City FC. Wagner was a key piece not only in the shutouts but in the attack where he had nine primary assists and was credited with 15 in total to finish second in the league.
The other semifinal sees center back Jack Elliott battle midfielder Daniel Gazdag. Elliott anchored the Union defense alongside Jakob Glesnes and played over 3,100 minutes in the regular season where he racked up 31 blocks, 46 interceptions. In the biggest match of the season, Elliott bagged a brace at MLS Cup Final to become the first player in club history with a postseason brace. Gazdag too had a goal at MLS Cup and scored the game winner that saw the Boys in Blue claim their first Eastern Conference Championship. The Hungarian racked up a club record 22 goals in the regular season, capped off by a Decision Day hat trick, and added another 10 assists to finish second in the league in combined goals+assists.
Voting will be tight so be sure to head to our Instagram to cast your vote before the poll ends at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, December 14th!
