John Eggert won the award last year, not John Cooper. Anyway, with any selection process there will be debate, which is OK and goes along with the territory. Corey is certainly a deserving candidate. Corey has worked to make himself in to a good player. He's done this by improving himself in every component of the game- technically, physically- he travels to Greenville to play on the best team,played yleague, ODP, etc..., so it is not a joke that he won this honor. Obviously Tomek's omission raises some eyebrows. He was the golden boot winner after Atlanta won Nationals and has already committed to Duke. Maybe that fact that he has not played club in SC since he was U14 had something to do with it. His current stint is with the Dallas Texans. Having said that, Corey may not be the biggest or fastest guy out there, but he is one good soccer player that can play with anybody on anyday. I don't smell anything political here. Congrats Lugger.