USL League One announced the 2022 award winners over the last week. Here are the compiled results.
Most Valuable Player
Emiliano Terzaghi (Richmond Kickers)
“The three-time Golden Boot winner and reigning back-to-back MVP became the first player in league history to score 10-plus goals in three or more seasons. Terzaghi’s 17 goals were the second-most scored in a single season behind the Argentine’s own record of 18 set a season ago.”
USL League One
Nominated: Jonathan Bolanos (Richmond Rickers), Arthur Rogers (Hailstorm FC)
Coach of the Year
Darren Sawatzky (Richmond Kickers)
Operating with a lethal offense and stout defense, Darren Sawatzky picked up the second-most regular season points and wins in a stellar 14-7-9 season that saw Richmond finish atop the League One table in its best finish since 2013. What’s more, Richmond’s 21 points gained from a losing position and 54 goals were the most in a regular season in league history.
USL League One
Nominated: Ian Cameron (Tormenta FC), Jimmy Weekley (Red Wolves SC)
Comeback Player of the Year
Adrian Billhardt (Tormenta FC)
After sustaining a season-ending knee injury in May 2021, Billhardt went on to miss 24 matches of his first season as a professional during his recovery period. Recovering in time to start the 2022 season, the 1. FC Union Berlin youth product finished with the most assists (5) and chances created (49) on the team to go along with a career-best five goals in 30 matches.
USL League One
Nominated: Daniel Navarro (Red Wolves SC), Nate Shultz (Greenville Triumph)
Young Player of the Year
Ethan Bryant (Richmond Kickers)
Just 21 years old, the San Antonio FC academy product completed his fifth professional season and first full campaign with the Kickers. In his most productive season to date, Bryant broke out with six assists, three goals and 30 chances created.
USL League One
Nominated: Omar Ciss (Charlotte Independence), Ryen Jiba (Union Omaha)
Defender of the Year
Arthur Rogers (Hailstorm FC)
Even with his strong defensive play, Rogers set a new single-season league record with 80 chances created in an incredibly productive first season in Windsor. The 26-year-old Englishman’s nine assists were the second-most on the season and most by a defender in a single season in league history.
USL League One
Nominated: Jalen Crisler (Richmond Kickers), Daniel Navarro (Red Wolves SC)
Goalkeeper of the Year
Rashid Nuhu (Union Omaha)
From USL League One:
The back-to-back Golden Glove winner and 2022 All-League First Team selection helped Omaha to another special season. The Ghanaian led the league with a 0.98 goals-against average and helped Omaha to the fewest goals conceded during the season (33).
USL League One
More from Daily Nonpareil (Council Bluffs, IA): Union Omaha’s Nuhu named USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year
More from Front Row Soccer: The Man with the Golden Gloves
Nominated: Paul Christensen (Greenville Triumph, Akira Fitzgerald (Richmond Kickers)