Columbus Crew SC'sGyasi Zardes and Gaston Sauro have been nominated for 2018 MLS Comeback Player of the Year among a list of 15 total players.
Zardes, who suffered a season-ending injury in August of 2016, scored two regular-season goals in 24 appearances in 2017 before suffering a season-ending foot injury in August. Since joining the Black & Gold ahead of the 2018 campaign, Zardes has resurged as one of the top scorers in the League with 16 goals, more than any other American player in MLS this season, while tying a career single-season high.
Following a season-ending knee injury midway through the 2016 season, Sauro was sidelined from competition for over a year. Despite medically being diagnosed with a 50-50 shot as to whether he could return to competitive play, Sauro defied the odds and has made five regular-season appearances so far in 2018.
Players, technical staffers (technical directors, GMs, and coaches) and a select group of national and regional media began the voting process on Monday, Oct. 15, and the award finalists will be announced on Oct. 31.
Read more about all of Crew SC's 13 nominations for year-end awards, as well as the full release from MLS.
