[MLS AWARDS] The Columbus Crew's Sigi Schmid was named MLS Coach of the Year and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Darren Huckerby won the Newcomer of the Year Award.

In his third season at the Crew helm, Schmid guided Columbus to MLS's best regular-season record (17-7-6), capturing the Supporters' Shield trophy and first place in the Eastern Conference.

Columbus had failed to reach postseason play in the previous three seasons. Prior to joining the Crew, Schmid won MLS Cup 2002 with the Los Angeles Galaxy and won three NCAA titles with UCLA. With the Crew in this year's semifinals, Schmid aims to become the first coach to win MLS titles with different teams.

Schmid was MLS Coach of the Year with the Galaxy in 1999.

Huckerby, a 32-year-old Englishman, becomes the second recipient of the MLS Newcomer of the Year award, introduced last year to recognize the first-year player with previous professional experience (and therefore not eligible for Rookie of the Year) who has made the biggest positive impact on his team.

The Quakes were 3-9-4 before Huckerby's arrival and finished the season with a 5-4-5 record after he joined the team. He scored six goals in 14 games for the Quakes.

MLS Coach of the Year
2008: Sigi Schmid - Columbus Crew
2007: Preki - Chivas USA
2006: Bob Bradley - Chivas USA
2005: Dominic Kinnear - San Jose Earthquakes
2004: Greg Andrulis - Columbus Crew
2003: Dave Sarachan - Chicago Fire
2002: Steve Nicol - New England Revolution
2001: Frank Yallop - San Jose Earthquakes
2000: Bob Gansler - Kansas City Wizards
1999: Sigi Schmid - Los Angeles Galaxy
1998: Bob Bradley - Chicago Fire
1997: Bruce Arena - D.C. United
1996: Thomas Rongen - Tampa Bay Mutiny


MLS Newcomer of the Year
2008: Darren Huckerby - San Jose Earthquakes
2007: Luciano Emilio - D.C. United