The finalists were determined in voting by Division I men's coaches who are members of the NSCAA and will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis on Jan. 9 for a news conference, where the winner of the award will be revealed.

A banquet at the Club that evening will feature the formal presentation of the prestigious crystal soccer ball trophy to the winner.
 
Cronin scored 10 goals and added four assists in helping the Demon Deacons to a third consecutive College Cup appearance. He  started every game of his career at Wake, setting the school record for most starts.

Tracy scored 13 goals and added 10 assists for 36 points, including three game-winners for Wake. Tracy and Cronin are the first teammates to be MAC finalists since University of Virginia's Mike Fisher and Damian Silvera in 1995.
 
Zakuani, who hails from London, was the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and led the nation in goals (20) and points (47).