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2018 Fans' Choice Midseason Awards Winners

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 07/18/18, 2:15PM EDT

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Who earned your votes over the past week after a spectacular first half of 2018?

TAMPA, Fla. – USL fans cast almost 15,000 votes over the past week to decide the 2018 Fans’ Choice Midseason Awards as the league celebrated the best players and coaches across the first half of the 2018 season. With some tight races that went down to the wire, here are the five people who rose above the rest to claim the awards.

Goalkeeper of the Year - Carl Woszczynski, Phoenix Rising FC

The veteran shot-stopper took a solid victory on the polls, with the boost to his numbers provided by a month of June that saw Woszczynski record 14 saves over five shutouts pushing him into the conversation alongside other contenders. Woszczynski has seen a lot in his time in Phoenix, but now might be part of a special season for the club as it looks to be one of the leading contenders in the Western Conference.

Fans’ Choice Midseason Goalkeeper of the Year
1. Carl Woszczynski, Phoenix Rising FC - 36%
2. Matt Pickens, Nashville SC - 26%
3. Dan Lynd, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - 20%


Defender of the Year - Ken Tribbett, Penn FC

Tribbett’s leadership at the back and threat in attack pushed him just ahead of Indy Eleven’s Ayoze to claim victory by only two percent, the narrowest victory in any of the five polls. Tribbett was a finalist for the USL’s Rookie of the Year award in 2015 when he first arrived in the professional ranks, and his return to Harrisburg this season has been a major plus for the side in its pursuit of a return to the USL Cup Playoffs.

Fans’ Choice Midseason Defender of the Year
1. Ken Tribbett, Penn FC - 31%
2. Ayoze, Indy Eleven - 29%
3. Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC - 18%


Coach of the Year - Alan Koch, FC Cincinnati

Koch’s second year at the help of FC Cincinnati has been a resounding success with the side sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference standings while having recorded the second-highest goals total in the league. Koch’s in-game management has played an important part in that success, with his ability to recognize adjustments that will help his side succeed on the fly helping earn him this award.

Fans’ Choice Midseason Coach of the Year
1. Alan Koch, FC Cincinnati - 49%
2. Bob Lilley, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - 19%
3. Cameron Knowles, Portland Timbers 2 - 13%


Young Player of the Year - Augustine Williams, Portland Timbers 2

After arriving midway through the 2016 season as an unproven 18-year-old, Williams has blossomed this year having clearly learned from the tough times T2 had a season ago in finishing last in the Western Conference. A dynamic forward piece, Williams has taken an important step forward in his play already this season, with his four goals and two assists both already a single-season best for his young career.

Fans’ Choice Midseason Young Player of the Year
1. Augustine Williams, Portland Timbers 2 - 33%
2. Efrain Alvarez, LA Galaxy II - 27%
3. Ropapa Mensah, Nashville SC - 19%


Most Valuable Player - Emmanuel Ledesma, FC Cincinnati

As the only player in the league to sit in the top three in both goals and assists, Ledesma has made his introduction to FC Cincinnati fans one to remember so far in 2018. The 30-year-old Argentine has played a direct role in 17 of FCC’s goals this season – helping account for almost half of the club’s 37 goals overall – and has quickly become one of the league’s must-see players on a weekly basis.

Fans’ Choice Midseason Most Valuable Player
1. Emmanuel Ledesma, FC Cincinnati - 55%
2. Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC - 21%
3. Neco Brett, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - 13%

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