Sean Okoli Named USL Most Valuable Player
FC Cincinnati standout Sean Okoli has been named the USL Most Valuable Player for the 2016 season as the forward led the league in goals scored during his side’s inaugural season. The 23-year-old recorded three multi-goal matches and also received USL Golden Boot honors.
Related Article: USL Coach of the Year: John Wolyniec
USL Soccer news: The United Soccer League announced FC Cincinnati forward Sean Okoli had been voted the 2016 USL Most Valuable Player, adding to his 2016 USL Golden Boot honor as the league’s leading scorer in Cincinnati’s inaugural season.
The 2016 USL Awards were voted on by team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market. Voting was conducted following the conclusion of the 2016 USL regular season.
“It was a very fun season for me, especially coming from where I was the last two years,” Okoli said. “I wasn’t getting much playing time, and to have the situation at Cincinnati, playing in front of all the fans and playing attacking soccer, I couldn’t ask for more.”
Okoli had a standout season for the expansion side, recording a steller highlight in FC Cincinnati’s first home match at Nippert Stadium with a scissor-kick finish that earned the No. 4 position on ESPN’s SportsCenter that night. The former Seattle Sounders FC and New England Revolution forward was a constant threat for his side as he appeared in 29 regular season matches, finishing third on the team in minutes.
The 23-year-old notched three multi-goal games and received USL Golden Boot honors with 16 goals in the regular season, edging out fellow All-League First Team selections Brandon Allen of the New York Red Bulls II – the 2016 USL Rookie of the Year – and the LA Galaxy II’s Jack McBean.
2016 USL Awards
Goalkeeper of the Year: Mitch Hildebrandt, FC Cincinnati
Defender of the Year: Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls II
Coach of the Year: John Wolyniec, New York Red Bulls II
Rookie of the Year: Brandon Allen, New York Red Bulls II
Most Valuable Player: Sean Okoli, FC Cincinnati
Photo Credit: United Soccer League
