USL1 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Arthur Rogers Named 2023 USL League One Defender of the Year

November 8, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release


WINDSOR, Colo. - For the second consecutive season, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC defender Arthur Rogers has been named the USL League One Defender of the Year.

"Obviously, very proud to win this award again. It was a goal of mine coming into the season, so it helps show the hard work put in paid off," Rogers said.

Rogers is the first player in league history to win Defender of the Year in back-to-back seasons. He was also named to the USL League One All-League First Team for the second straight season.

"Winning it once is a fantastic achievement. That's difficult enough, so winning it two years running is a magnificent achievement for Arthur," Hailstorm FC head coach Éamon Zayed said.

En route to winning Defender of the Year, Rogers broke his own single-season USL League One record with 88 chances created in 2023. He turned 11 of those into assists, tying the league's single-season record and earning him the Golden Playmaker award.

Despite his standout contributions creatively, Zayed said it was Rogers' development in the defensive side of the game that impressed him most this season.

"He's transformed this year," Zayed said. "He played right back, but he also played center back a lot for us. He showed his qualities as a defender. He showed his ability to move the ball out of the back at ease. We all know he gets a lot of recognition for his play on the ball, but I felt off the ball he really improved this year as a defender."

Rogers was among Hailstorm's team leaders in clearances (51), interceptions (26), and tackles won (42) this season, he also had 189 recoveries and won 170 duels in helping Hailstorm to the fewest goals allowed and most clean sheets in the league this season.

"I have to give a massive credit to my teammates," Rogers said. "We led the league in clean sheets and that's down to the defensive unit we are from back to front."

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