Stewart wins US award
Thursday, December 13, 2001
Article summary
NAC Breda striker Earnie Stewart has been voted United States player of the year.
Article body
NAC Breda striker Earnie Stewart has been voted United States player of the year.
Reyna beaten
The 32-year-old Dutch-born forward beat off competition from US captain Claudio Reyna, who has just joined Sunderland FC, and defender Jeff Agoos. Stewart helped his country book their place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring five goals in the qualifiers.
‘Something great’
“I've been lucky,” said Stewart. “I am a team player and to be recognised for what I have done, as an individual in a team sport, is something great. My season has been good, and you hope to keep going on in the same way. The magnet in the ball has always found my foot and I've been lucky this year.”
Seven goals
In the Dutch Eredivisie this season, Stewart has scored seven goals in 16 league games, helping to guide NAC to sixth place. Stewart, the son of an American father and Dutch mother, started his professional career with VVV Venlo in 1988, before joining Willem II in 1990. He then moved on to NAC in 1996.
