From Deseret News archives:
Cunningham given 'Golden' recognition
He entered the game trailing RSL's Jeff Cunningham by two goals in the race for the Golden Boot, and that's the way his quest remained after 90 minutes.
"I'm going to have to buy all of my teammates a couple of beers. Wait, make it a couple Rolexes," said Cunningham, who quickly realized he isn't Didier Drogba playing in the English Premier League. "I'm going to go to New York and get folexes."
Cunningham finished the season with 16 goals, followed by Razov and D.C. United's Christian Gomez, who each finished with 14.
Cunningham also finished the season as the league's assist leader with 11, even though he had to share the award with four other players. He had two fantastic opportunities to make it 12 in the first half Sunday. He set up teammate Chris Klein beautifully in the 27th minute only to see Klein's shot ricochet off the right post. Ten minutes later, he crossed the ball into Atiba Harris, whose shot also hit the post.
It's a bittersweet award for Cunningham.
"Winning the golden boot is almost what's expected of me," said Cunningham. "I wanted to come out and help the organization make it to the playoffs."
Last year, Cunningham finished third in the golden boot race with 12 goals while with Colorado.
It may be bittersweet for Cunningham, but his golden boot is a positive the whole team can enjoy.
"I think his success is part of our success," said Klein. "He did a fantastic job. A lot of that is personal accomplishment, but he didn't do it on his own. The guys will definitely share in that and we're happy for him."
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com
