Oct. 25, 2005

NEW YORK - Major League Soccer has announced that Chicago Fire forward Chris Rolfe, an All-America player at the University of Dayton in 2004, is one of three finalists for the 2005 Gatorade Rookie of the Year Award.

The 22-year-old Rolfe led the Fire in goals (eight), shots (61), shots on goal (32) and games played (29). Rolfe's eight goals made him the first rookie in club history to lead the Fire in scoring, earning him the 2005 Fire/Budweiser Golden Boot award, while also placing him second among the League's rookies in the category. Rolfe also contributed five assists on the season, the most among MLS rookies and the third most on the Fire.

Rolfe is looking to join Carlos Bocanegra (2000) and Damani Ralph (2003) as previous members of the "Men in Red" to take home the Rookie of the Year hardware.

MLS, who also named Kansas City Wizards forward Scott Sealy and New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst as finalists, will announce the winner of the award on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The Fire are currently battling D.C. United in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.