On November 20, 2013, Major League Soccer announced the 2013 MLS Award Finalists. New England Revolution Captain and Central Defender Jose Goncavles was the only player eligible for two awards: MLS Defender of the Year and MLS Newcomer of the Year.  

Already most pundit's mid-season pick MLS Defender of the Year making his mark on the first half of the season leading most statistical categories, it is no surprise that Major League Soccer has selected Jose Goncalves as the 2013 MLS Defender of the Year.

Goncalves won the award for his stellar play throughout the 2013 season led the Revolution to its first playoff birth since 2009.  The Revolution had a remarkable turnaround rising all the way to 3rd place in the Eastern Conference after placing 9th place last season.  In addition,the 2013 Revolution Defender of the Year/Midnight Riders Man of the Year led the club to a franchise record 14 shutouts, which was best amongst central defenders in MLS and one shy of the league lead.  It is no question that Goncalves made a huge impact for the Revolution in 2013 playing every minute of every regular season and playoff game -- the only field player in the League to do so. MLSsoccer.com selected Jose to the Team of the Week on seven occassions (Week 7,  Week 12,  Week 14,  Week 19,  Week 31, Week 33 and Week 35). On July 24, 2013, he was chosen to EA Sports Ultimate Global Team of the Week.  

The following Soccer Media and Experts correctly named Goncalves as the 2013 MLS Defender of the Year.  

• Awards Pick 'Em: MLSsoccer.com editors weigh in with Defender of the Year picks
• SBI MLS Defender of the Year: Jose Goncalves
• Goal USA MLS Defender of the Year: Jose Goncalves
• SoccerAmerica's MLS Awards: Goncalves makes his presence felt in first MLS season
• MLS 2013 season swards: SB Nation names Jose Goncalves Defender of the Year
• NBC Sport's ProSoccerTalk's MLS awards choices: Defender of the Year
• Soccer NewsDay: 2013 MLS Year End Awards

Stone Sports Management would like to give a special congratulations to Jose Goncalves for this great accommplishment.  Jose thoroughly deserves this award after transitioning flawlessly to Major League Soccer where many imports have trouble to adapt. The next weeks will be very important to determine if Jose will return to the New England Revolution and Major League Soccer with the same impact in 2014 that he had on the 2013 Season.   

Make sure to follow Jose Goncalves on Twitter @oneswitz and check out his 2013 Highlights below:

 

At 28, Jonny Steele can now cross of being called into his National Team from his life bucket list. The New York Red Bull's left midfielder will head to Turkey to make his national team debut against the Eurasian country on November 15, 2013  Click HERE for BBC's article on the selection and to listen to Michael O'Neill on BBC Radio for his reasons choosing Jonny Steele.  Do not froget to tune into to the Northern Ireland-Turkey friendly in Istanbul at the end of this week.  The full roster below as well as Steele's New York Red Bull Highlights.

Northern Ireland squad vs. Turkey:

Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Olympiakos), Alan Mannus (St Johnstone)

Defenders: Gareth McAuley (West Brom), Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Lee Hodson (MK Dons), Daniel Lafferty (Burnley), Rory McArdle (Bradford City), Aaron Hughes (Fulham)

Midfielders: Chris Baird (Reading), Steven Davis (Southampton), Oliver Norwood (Huddersfield Town). Shane Ferguson (Newcastle United - loan at Birmingham City), Christ Brunt (West Brom), Sammy Clingan (Kilmarnock), Michael O'Connor (Rotherham United), Jonathan Steele (New York Bulls).

Forwards: Billy McKay (Inverness), Martin Paterson (Huddersfield), Jamie Ward (Derby), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Will Grigg (Brentford).

[UPDATED with Media links]

BBC Sport - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24933608
Belfast Telegraph - http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/american-dream-new-york-jonny-comes-marching-home-for-northern-ireland-debut-29753418.html
News Letter - http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/rollercoaster-journey-leads-determined-jonny-steele-to-first-cap-1-5680394#.UoTjaCB2Dsc.twitter

Stone Sports Management is pleased to announce that Finnish Striker Juho Mäkelä has signed until the end of the 2013/14 Seaon plus a one year option with Swiss Super League and 2013-14 UEFA Cup Group Stage Participants St. Gallen.  St. Gallen is currently 4th in the standings and was in need of an unattached Striker after having three strikers go down with long term injuries since summer. 

The deal came rather quickly once St. Gallen was informed of Mäkelä's availability through Stone Sports Management's Swiss Partner Gold Kick.  Both St. Gallen's Head Trainer Jeff Saibene and Sports Director Heinz Peischl had previously worked with Makela during his stint with FC Thun in 2007 on loan from Hearts FC.  The Finnish Striker will fit right in with the German-speaking club having spent last season with Sandhausen SV in the German Bundesliga 2 after signing with the German club on the last day of the January 2013 Transfer Window. 

"I am very pleased for Juho to continue his career in the Swiss Super League with St. Gallen.  I must commend Juho for staying fit during these past two months while waiting patiently for a new club that fit his competitive ambitions and financial requirements. St. Gallen is a win-win situation since the club was in desperate need for front line help, and Juho has previously worked with the trainer and sports director.  I want to thank everyone at Gold Kick for their professional work and making Juho feel at home in Swtizerland. Juho has already made an impression his first days on the pitch with his new club, and I look forward to seeing him score goals as he has previously in Germany, Finland and Australia," remarked Agent Justin Stone.

Read more: Signing: Swiss Super League Side St. Gallen Adds Juho Mäkelä

Stone Sports Management is pleased to announce that the Ottawa Fury has signed Scottish Midfielder Nicholas "Nicki" Paterson as their first every signing for the 2014 NASL Expansion Franchise.  The Fury purchased Paterson's rights for an undisclosed transfer fee from the Charleston Battery.  Paterson leaves the Battery after three successful seasons and led them to the 2012 USL Pro Championship.  He was also named the 2011 and 2012 Charleston Battery MVP, and his best statistical season occurred in 2012 where he led all midfielders with 12 goals and second in the league in points, securing USL Pro All League Honors. Paterson will wear the #8 jersey for the Fury sponsored by Admiral.

Ottawa Sports and Entertainment have invested in bringing a top class organization to Canada's capital.  The expansion franchise is led by Head Coach Marc Dos Santos who coached the Montreal Impact to a league Championship in 2009.  Dos Santos now solidfies his box to box midfielder as part of his recruiting plan.  Dos Santos recently announced Vancouver Whitecaps former Captain and legend Martin Nash as his Assistant Coach who played the same position as Paterson.  

Paterson is excited for the new opportunity, "I feel now at 28 that I am entering the peak of my career and that my experience being a pro since age 17 will help me with this new experience of being a leader for an expansion franchise.  I have been through promotion and relegation battles, administrations, sharing the lockerroom with great players like Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill, and one of my favorite moments -- winning the 2012 USL Pro Championship!  I still have so much to prove as a professional and joining the Ottawa Fury will give me a platform to improve each day as an individual and leader under Coach Dos Santos' guidance and trainings.  Coach Dos Santos has worked with some close friends of mine and have heard nothing but positive things about him as a person and coach.  I am confident that he will bring together a fantastic group that will be competitive in our first season. I am going to put pressure on myself to be a club leader and cannot wait to take on that responsibility and bring success to Ottawa."  Here is Nicki with a special video:

Agent Justin Stone remarks on the historical signing, "I am very happy for Nicki and know that this is a win-win-win situation for everyone involved.  It was clear from the start that Marc [Dos Santos] wanted an established box to box midfielder who can score goals and lead from central midfield. Nicki has MLS level talent, and I look forward to seeing him compete in the NASL next season. It is an exciting time for Nicki personally and professionally and wish nothing but the best for him during this next career chapter." 

(Nicki Paterson and Agent Justin Stone holding the 2012 USL Pro Championshp during a post-championsip celebration at Blackbaud Stadium's Three Lions Pub)

"I also want to take the opportunity to thank the Charleston Battery organization for being such a first class organization and giving me the blessing to embark on a new challenge.  The club and city will always be dear to me and my fiancee.  I want to thank all the fans I who supported us and had the privilege to meet.  I want to thank my teammates, Coach Anhaeuser, General Mananger Andrew Bell and Owner Tony Bakker.  The experiences at Blackbaud will never be forgotten!"

Stone Sports Management would like to congratulate Jonny Steele and Ibrahim Sekagya on winning the MLS Supporters' Shield with the New York Red Bulls.  Both Stone Sports Management clients started and scored goals in the 5-2 win against the Chicago Fire, which capped off a historical season for the New York franchise under first year head coach Mike Petke.

(Ibrahim Sekagya and Thierry Henry with the MLS Supports Shield during on-field post-game celebration)

The win propelled them to the top of the MLS Standings with 59 points and helped the club earn its first MLS Silverware in its history.  The win provides them with home field advantage throughout the MLS Playoffs and the favorites to win the 2013 MLS Cup.  It also gives the club a ticket to the 2014/2015 CONCACAF Champions League and precious allocation money to keep the current roster in tact for next season.  

 (Steele celebrates with Eric Alexander during their 5-2 win over the Chicago Fire)

You can watch both players' goals below and stay tuned for their upcoming playoff series against the winner of the MLS Play-In match between the Montreal Impact and Houston Dynamo.  

 (Note: Sekagya credited with the Goal below)

Jose Goncalves and the New England Revolution closed out the regular season with a 1-0 win against the Columbus Crew.  The win clinched the club's first playoff appearance since 2009 and helps them leapfrog the Chicago Fire and Montreal Impact to earn the Eastern Conference's #3 Seed that will put them up against Sporting KC in a home and home matchup.  The game marked the second consecutive week the Revolution matched up against the Columbus Crew with the Revs winning both matches.  The game comes one week after Goncalves was named the 2013 New England Revolution Defender of the Year as well as the 2013 Midnight Riders Man of the Year. 

The Revs Captain had another gusty performance and earned mlssoccer.com's Man of the Match #2.  He led the backline to its club-record 14th shutout on the season.  His performance drew accollades by the league as he was named to the mlssoccer.com's Team of the Week (35) for the 7th time in the season.  

Goncalves suffered an early injury to his hamstring and looked as though he may have needed to come off the field for the first time this season.  Instead, Goncalves dug deep and battled through through the injury during the club's most critical match to date.  Stay tuned for this upcoming weekend's MLS Playoff matches, and congratulations to Jose Goncalves on helping his club earn a Playoff appearance for the first time since 2009.

An exclusive opportunity was provided to New York Red Bulls left midfielder Jonny Steele, who was selected as just one of ten players in the entire world to be asked by adidas global to wear limited edition Y3 cleats ("Yohji Yamamoto adizero F50") in their last MLS Regular season game against the Chicago Fire.  The others included PSG's Lucas Moura, Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi, FC Tokyo's Naohiro Isikawa, Barcelona's David Alaba, Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, Los Angeles Galaxy's Gyasi Zardes, AIK Stockholm's Martin Kayongo-Mutumba and Rosenborg's Nicki Bille Nielsen.  The boots are influenced by mythical Japanese imperial lion-dogs.

In 2001, World Famous Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto and adidas teamed up to create a new line of clothing and footwear identified as Y3.  Yamamoto created an animal design boot, and adidas has limited the production to just 2,000 world-wide. 

Make sure to watch Jonny Steele and the Red Bulls take on the Chicago Fire.  As the Red Bulls are currently in first place, a win will ensure the MLS Supporters' Shield and would earn the club its first major trophy in its 18-year history.  

[UPDATE]:  The night was memorable for Jonny Steele as he closed out the season with a goal that helped the New York Red Bulls capture their first silverware in its history by winning the MLS Supporters' Shield.  Steele finished the season strong with 7 Goals and 6 Assists and finished top 5 on the team in both categories.  The only other players to do so are Designated Players Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill. 

Stone Sports Management would like to congraulate New York Red Bull Defender Ibrahim Sekagya on his debut goal in MLS this past weekend.  Sekagya scored the 2nd goal in a 3-0 win over the reigning Eastern Conference Champions Houston Dynamo.  Not only did Sekagya score the insurance goal, but he also battled against the physical Dynamo Strikers helping to keep a clean sheet keeing the Red Bulls at the top of the Eastern Conference.

His play also earned him Team of the Week nods by Sports Illustrated and Honorable Mention by MLSsoccer.com for Week 34 (He is also nominated for Defender of the Week).  He was also named 2nd Man of the Match. See below for Sekagy's Goal and allt he best to him in his attempt to win the MLS Supporters Shild against the Chicago Fire this weekend.