Heber tallied 15 goals and four assists this season. (Photo courtesy of NYCFC)

New York City FC forward Heber finished second to Carles Gil of the New England Revolution in the MLS newcomer of the year voting, the league announced Wednesday.

Gil won with 19.56 percent of the vote as Heber was close behind at 17.55 percent. Toronto FC’s Alejandro Pozuelo was third at 12.01 percent.

The 26-year-old Spaniard became the first Revolution player to receive the honor, given to the best player with previous professional experience who made his MLS debut. Gil will lead the Revs into the MLS Cup Playoffs against Atlanta United FC Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. ET (NBC Sports Boston / Univision).

Heber recorded 15 goals and four assists over 22 games and 18 starts for City this season.

The award, determined by votes from the media, MLS players and club technical staffs, adds to an already impressive list of accolades for the club’s captain. After starting all 34 regular season games, Gil was voted the Revolution team MVP by fans and named the players’ player of the year by his teammates. The club’s supporters honored Gil as the Midnight Riders’ man of the year. He also capped off the season by claiming the Revs’ Golden Boot trophy with team-highs of 10 goals and 14 assists.

Newcomer of the Year Player % Club % Media % Final %
Carles Gil (NE) 12.16% 21.43% 25.10% 19.56%
Héber (NYC) 8.78% 15.31% 28.57% 17.55%
Alejandro Pozuelo (TOR) 18.58% 5.10% 12.36% 12.01%
Alexandru Mitriță (NYC) 11.15% 15.31% 1.54% 9.33%
Gustavo Bou (NE) 6.76% 9.18% 4.63% 6.86%
Cristian Pavón (LA) 6.08% 9.18% 3.86% 6.38%
Brian Fernández (POR) 11.49% 3.06% 3.09% 5.88%
Eddie Segura (LAFC) 0.68% 10.20% 3.47% 4.78%
Nani (ORL) 5.07% 2.04% 2.32% 3.14%

MLS Newcomer of the Year Winners:
2019: Carles Gil – New England Revolution
2018: Zlatan Ibrahimović – LA Galaxy
2017: Miguel Almirón – Atlanta United
2016: Nicolás Lodeiro – Seattle Sounders FC
2015: Sebastian Giovinco – Toronto FC
2014: Pedro Morales – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2013: Diego Valeri – Portland Timbers
2012: Federico Higuaín – Columbus Crew SC
2011: Mauro Rosales – Seattle Sounders FC
2010: Álvaro Saborío – Real Salt Lake
2009: Fredy Montero – Seattle Sounders FC
2008: Darren Huckerby – San Jose Earthquakes
2007: Luciano Emílio – D.C. United

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.