Union's Mwanga, Le Toux in mix for MLS season awards

Danny Mwanga and Sebastien Le Toux are in the mix for Major League Soccer year-end awards, but the latter is not in the running for Most Valuable Player.

MLS released its finalists for 2010 season awards yesterday, with Le Toux in contention for the Fair Play Award along with Chicago defender C.J. Brown and San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski. Le Toux (14 goals, 11 assists) led the Union in both categories, but it wasn't enough to put the 26-year-old Frenchman among MVP finalists Wondolowski, David Ferreira of FC Dallas and Edson Buddle of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

As for Mwanga, it was no surprise to find his name among the finalists for Rookie of the Year. Mwanga (seven goals, four assists) went on a scoring tear since his stoppage-time equalizer against FC Dallas in May. A separated shoulder suffered against Chicago in September halted Mwanga's scoring push, but the 19-year-old is still in consideration along with Red Bull New York defender Tim Ream and D.C. United forward Andy Najar.

"I try not to let it get to my head," Mwanga said. "I just want to play my game and whatever happens in the end, whether I get it or I don't get it I still want to feel like I did everything I could to make my team better."

Both awards are scheduled to be announced Nov. 3. Penn Charter alums Chris Albright and Bobby Convey are up for the Comeback Player of the Year Award, to be given Nov. 10 to a player rebounding from injury last season.

The complete rundown of all finalists is on Page 47.