Last modified: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 1:14 AM EST Attleboro native Geoff Cameron was the top draft choice of the defending MLS champion Houston Dynamo. (Staff photo by KEITH NORDSTROM) Cameron in line for MLS award BY PETER GOBIS SUN CHRONICLE STAFF HOUSTON - Never in Geoff Cameron's wildest dreams as he was traversing across the Kingston campus of the University of Rhode Island a year ago at this time that he would be one of three finalists for Major League Soccer's "Newcomer of the Year" award. The Attleboro native, the "Midfielder of the Year" in the Atlantic 10 Conference last season while representing the Rams, not only has become a frequent contributor to the success of the Houston Dynamo in winning MLS' Western Conference crown, but also a guiding figure in the Dynamo reserves winning the MLS Reserve Division title. And next week Cameron will find out if he is the rookie of the year in MLS, one of three finalists along with the New England Revolution's Kheli Dube and Sean Franklin of the Los Angeles Galaxy. "It's a great honor," said Cameron after practice Tuesday, the Dynamo preparing for the second leg of their first round MLS playoff match Sunday in Houston against the Red Bulls. "I understand that I might not get it (the award), but to be among the three finalists - it's a great accomplishment." Cameron was a third-round draft pick by Houston coming out of URI, the Dynamo's first pick as its first and second round selections were transferred in trades. Cameron has fit right into the dynamics of the two-time defending MLS Cup champions. He played in 23 regular season MLS matches for the Dynamo, which posted a Western Conference best record of 13-5-12, starting eight matches, having a goal and two assists. He has played in 10 reserve matches for the Dynamo, which compiled a 9-1-2 record, starting them all, having two goals and three assists. "I think Geoff has been the steal of the draft," Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstand said in Free Kick, the MLS magazine. "He has been fantastic. The best thing that he brings is that he wants to learn." Houston coach Dom Kinnear has been so impressed with Cameron's development and progress that he has used him at a right midfield slot, in a defensive midfield role, at center back and at forward. "I think that I proved that I was worthy of getting some playing time, of being able to help the team," said Cameron. "The other thing too is that I showed that I'm willing to learn. Houston is a team with a lot of veteran guys on it and they help me on and off the field. They're a good club to be with to develop as a player." What endeared Cameron to Kinnear and to the rest of the Dynamo roster was his poise and play during the midseason international matches. Houston reached the SuperLiga championship match, reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and is the only remaining U.S. team in the CONCACAF Champions League. "When I'm playing for the reserves, I try to be more of an influential player, it's a chance for guys like myself to shine," said Cameron. "Then when I dress and play for the first (MLS) team, you feel more confident, more dominant." Having taken a 1-1 tie at New York-New Jersey last weekend in the opening round of the MLS playoffs - in which Cameron played about 15 minutes in a reserve role - Houston has an 18-8-20 record overall. That's 14 more matches played than Columbus and San Jose. "Maybe I was under-rated a bit," said Cameron of, perhaps, being overlooked by other MLS Personnel Directors and Coaches. "You have to show what you have at the (MLS) Combine in just a few days. There were guys there who were members of the National Team, guys with a lot more experience than the guys like myself who had played up North." The 6-foot-3 Cameron may have had his professional breakout game in the SuperLiga semifinal round match against Pachuca on July 29. In that match, Cameron started at center back for the injured Eddie Robinson. He played the first 65 minutes there, but when Kinnear switched formations, Cameron moved to a central midfield role. "He has been a fantastic addition to our club," added Onstand. "He did a very good job of being patient." Cameron plays as if he belongs. "Now that we're in the playoffs, everything is a lot more intense. I'm looking forward to playing in front of our fans," he added. He might be a first-year player, but doesn't demonstrate any hesitation. "The SuperLiga matches, the CONCACAF matches, the international matches, starting eight MLS matches, I have something like 900 minutes. "I really didn't think, coming into this season and with such a veteran team as Houston, that I'd have that many minutes or get a chance to play and contribute as I have," said Cameron. "To win the Western Conference title, to win the reserve division title and now to be one of three finalists for the rookie of the year award - all I can say is that I hope to keep continuing to get better."