USL’s 2016 All-League Teams
The USL – the largest professional soccer organization under the MLS in America has 29 teams from 19 states plus three Canadian provinces – has announced its 2016 All-League teams ahead of the USL Cup Final scheduled for Sunday between the New York Red Bulls II and the Swope Park Rangers. The Red Bulls II and FC Cincinnati each had three players named to the All-League Teams for their stellar regular season performance.
USL Soccer News: The United Soccer League‘s 2016 USL All-League Teams honor the top talent from the 2016 USL Regular Season.
Players from the New York Red Bulls II and FC Cincinnati garnered multiple selections on the All-League First Team.
Earned in the regular season, the USL champions and standout expansion club’s players led their teams to successful regular season campaigns.
How do players earn their roster spots? The players fro the 2016 USL All-League Team are voted on by team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market.
2016 USL All-League First Team
GK – Mitch Hildebrandt, FC Cincinnati
D – Harrison Delbridge, FC Cincinnati
D – Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers
D – Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls II
D – Hugh Roberts, Richmond Kickers
M – Danny Barrera, Sacramento Republic FC
M – Villyan Bijev, Portland Timbers 2
M – Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence
F – Brandon Allen, New York Red Bulls II
F – Jack McBean, LA Galaxy II
F – Sean Okoli, FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati concluded a remarkable inaugural season in the USL with a league-high three First Team selections, as goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt, defender Harrison Delbridge and forward Sean Okoli were all honored. Okoli also earned the 2016 USL Golden Boot, after leading the USL with 16 goals during the season.
The USL Regular Season champion Red Bulls II also earned three selections, as defender Aaron Long and forward Brandon Allen received First Team honors, and defender Zach Carroll was named to the Second Team. Allen finished tied for second in the USL with 15 goals on the season, setting a USL Rookie record in the process.
The Red Bulls II trio named to the 2016 USL All-League Team are set to compete in the 2016 USL Cup Final, Presented by Nike, on Sunday at Red Bull Arena where they will face off against the Swope Park Rangers’ All-League First Team selection Amer Didic.
The Finalists for the 2016 USL Awards will be announced on Wednesday, preceding the 2016 USL Cup Final, Presented by Nike, which will air live on ESPNU, the WatchESPN app and be simulcast on SiriusXM on Sunday, October 23 at 8 p.m. ET.
2016 USL All-League Second Team
GK – Devala Gorrick, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
D – Zach Carroll, New York Red Bulls II
D – Joe Farrell, Rochester Rhinos
D – Bruno Perone, Wilmington Hammerheads FC
D – Josh Suggs, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
M – Jose Barril, Harrisburg City Islanders
M – Kenardo Forbes, Rochester Rhinos
M – Yudai Imura, Richmond Kickers
F – Irvin Herrera, Saint Louis FC
F – Corey Hertzog, Pittsburgh Riverhounds
F – Cameron Iwasa, Sacramento Republic FC
Fun Fact: Did you know that the USL finished its 2016 regular-season with a total season attendance of nearly 1.5 million? With 29 teams to cheer for, fans enjoyed a great season and attended 33% more games than in 2015.
Photo Credit: United Soccer League
