Frisco, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - FC Dallas forward Tesho Akindele has been named Major League Soccers Rookie of the Year, the league announced on Monday. The award culminates an outstanding season for the 22-year-old Akindele which saw him rise from NCAA Division II soccer to the national-team radar of both his native Canada and the United States. Akindele finished the 2014 season with seven goals and three assists, starting 18 games and making 26 appearances. He played all 270 minutes for FCD in the postseason and scored the opening goal in the clubs 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference knockout round. Akindele played four years for the Colorado School of Mines and is the first player in team history to win Rookie of the Year. He was drafted by Dallas with the sixth pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, but played just 15 minutes in two appearances in the first 10 Dallas games of the season. At the beginning of the year, I had the highest hopes, Akindele said. I wasnt getting too much time, but as things went on, I got so much playing time, got to score goals, in the roster all the time. Its been a fantastic year. I couldnt be happier. But an injury to playmaker Mauro Diaz forced Dallas to change their style, and Akindele played a key role, seeing time both as a wide player and a target forward, capable of switching spots during a game. Hes the first forward to win the award since Kansas Citys CJ Sapong in 2011, and just the fourth forward to win the award since it was introduced in 1996. Stitched Soccer Jerseys . JOHNS, N. Fake Soccer Jerseys . He says he will have the operation Wednesday and be ready in time for training camp in September. Bernier missed five games in March due to the injury. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . Kansas City became the first team in baseball history to win four extra-inning games in a single postseason on Friday, as Alex Gordon crushed a leadoff homer in the 10th and Mike Moustakas added the deciding two-run blast in the Royals 8-6 win. Soccer Jerseys China . The Rangers announced after Thursdays 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees that they would purchase Williams contract from Triple-A Round Rock. The 32-year-old Williams was released by Houston earlier this month after going 1-4 with a 6. Cheap Soccer Jerseys . FIFA said the suspension was requested by ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia, making Beckenbauer the first person to be punished as a result of the case. Beckenbauer refused "repeated requests for his assistance, including requests that he provide information during an in-person interview or in response to written questions provided in both English and German," FIFA said in a statement. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills general manager Doug Whaley is more eager to see Jairus Byrd make his season debut this weekend, than to try to project the two-time Pro Bowl safetys future in Buffalo. Whaley told The Associated Press on Thursday that while he is not actively shopping Byrd, the Bills would listen to offers if another team called. "Our focus right now is Jairus getting on the field and playing the best he can for the Buffalo Bills," Whaley said. "We are not actively on the phone hammering out trying to look for a trade. By the same token, (team president) Russ Brandon would listen if someone wanted to trade. "So if the phone rings, were going to listen. But that doesnt mean were out trying to trade." Whaley stressed the same rule applies to any player on the roster with the NFL trading deadline approaching Oct. 29. As for Byrds future, Whaley didnt entirely rule out the possibility of the Bills re-signing the fifth-year player once his one-year franchise tag expires after this season. "Absolutely, I mean theres always a possibility," Whaley said. "Its one of those things where you can never say never. Will he be on the team? We hope so. Were not sure, but were going to do everything thats best for the Buffalo Bills in the future." The immediate future for Whaley is Byrd preparing to make his long-awaited season debut on Sunday, when the Bills (2-3) host the Cincinnati Bengals (3-2). Byrd is set to play after he missed the entire off-season because of a contract dispute, and the first five games of the season because of plantar fasciitis in both feet. "Were very much excited for him to get back out there," Whaley said. "Its going to help our defence. Its going to help our offence. Its going to help our team." Byrd has the potential to be a signiificant difference maker, which is a reason the Bills made a one-year $6.dddddddddddd.9 million franchise-tag tender in March to prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. Though the move allowed the Bills to retain Byrds rights, it led to a stalemate in contact negotiations during which the two sides were unable to reach a long-term deal before a July 15 deadline. Byrd didnt report to the team until he finally accepted the one-year contract Aug. 21. That didnt mean he was ready to play. Byrd has spent the past seven weeks being treated for the foot condition that had nagged him since last season. Whaley said the team has been impressed with how Byrd has handled himself throughout his rehabilitation, which has included the player spending extra time on the field following practice. On another topic, Whaley was encouraged by the progress rookie quarterback EJ Manuel showed in his first five starts before being sideline indefinitely by a sprained right knee in a 37-24 loss to Cleveland last week. "Obviously, you want him to go out there and take the live reps, but hes doing a good job," Manuel said. "Are we discouraged? More for the kid, because he was growing and learning." The first-round pick out of Florida State was off to inconsistent start before being injured. He completed 85 of 150 attempts for 985 yards passing with five touchdowns and three interceptions. "In any rookie quarterback, youre going to have some bumps in the road," Whaley said. Manuel will continue developing from a mental perspective by travelling with the team and watching games from the coaches box. "Yes, we do think theres time and a combination of learning that can go on off the field," Whaley said, "and off the field that we think will benefit this guy down the road." ' ' '