USL PRO News Release

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO has announced the finalists for its 2012 awards, honoring the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year and Coach of the Year from the 2012 season. The winners will be announced at Friday’s media luncheon prior to the 2012 USL PRO Championship Game in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Charleston Battery and Wilmington Hammerheads, who will meet in Saturday night’s USL PRO Championship Game (7:30 p.m. ET, USLNation.com), are each represented on the list of finalists. The Hammerheads are represented by MVP candidate Corey Hertzog and Rookie of the Year Finalist Bryce Taylor, who is competing against Charleston’s Jose Cuevas.

Regular season champions Orlando City led all teams with five finalists.

Votes for the USL PRO honors are submitted by USL PRO team management, and finalists are determined based on total All-League votes.

2012 USL PRO Award Finalists

Most Valuable Player
Dennis Chin, Orlando City
Corey Hertzog, Wilmington Hammerheads
Kevin Molino, Orlando City

Rookie of the Year
Bryan Burke, Los Angeles Blues
Jose Cuevas, Charleston Battery
Lucky Mkosana, Harrisburg City Islanders
Bryce Taylor, Wilmington Hammerheads

Coach of the Year
Adrian Heath, Orlando City
Mark Steffens, Charlotte Eagles
Ivar van Dinteren, Dayton Dutch Lions

Defender of the Year
Troy Roberts, Rochester Rhinos
Rob Valentino, Orlando City
William Yomby, Richmond Kickers

Goalkeeper of the Year
Miguel Gallardo, Orlando City
Kristian Nicht, Rochester Rhinos
Nick Noble, Harrisburg City Islanders

USL PRO Championship Game
No. 5 Wilmington Hammerheads at No. 3 Charleston Battery, 7:30 p.m. ET, USLNation.com