Two-time defender of the year Gabriel Gervais of the Montreal Impact was named a finalist for the United Soccer Leagues' First Division award for a fourth straight season on Wednesday.

Gervais, who won the award in 2003 and 2004, will be up against Geordie Lyall of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Mauricio Segovia of the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Vancouver's Joey Gjertsen was named a finalist for the MVP award, along with Cam Weaver of the Seattle Sounders and Zinho of Miami FC. Weaver is also up for the rookie of the year award along with Rochester's Kenney Bertz and Michael Randolph of the Portland Timbers.

Montreal's Nick DeSantis was named a finalist for coach of the year after leading the Impact to a second straight regular season title. Laurie Calloway of the Rochester Raging Rhinos and Mike Anhaeuser of the Charleston Battery were also nominated.

Voting is done by the league's coaches and general managers. The winners will be announced at the championship teams banquet next week.

Vancouver will host Montreal in the opener of a two-game semifinal series on Friday. Game 2 will be played in Montreal on Sunday.

The winner will play Rochester or Charleston in the championship game on Sept. 30.