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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Danny Vitiello Named 2023 USL Championship Goalkeeper of the Year

November 14, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento, Calif. - On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced Republic FC Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello as the winner of the league's 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year award. Vitiello becomes the first Republic FC goalkeeper to earn the honor after recording a career high 11 clean sheets in the regular season and winning the league's Golden Glove award for the second time in his career. Vitiello claimed 49% of the vote, beating out Oakland Roots SC's Paul Blanchette, and Detroit City FC's Nathan Steinwascher. League award winners are selected by team technical staffs, executives and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL Championship market. Voting was conducted following the conclusion of the 2023 Championship regular season.

"I'm incredibly humbled and honored to be named Goalkeeper of the Year, especially competing with some of the top guys and fiercest competitors out there, so hats off to them," said Vitiello. "There is absolutely no way this award would be possible alone - I have to give a huge thank you and a lot of credit to my teammates, my coaches and the Sacramento Republic FC organization and fans. Thank you for driving my desire to be the best I can be every day and making my job easy. Playing soccer for a living has always been a dream of mine and I always promise never to take a day for granted."

The Massapequa, New York native conceded only 25 goals across 30 appearances, and recorded 11 shutouts during the regular season. He tallied 82 saves - the best mark in a single season for his career, as well as a 76.2% save percentage. A league-best 0.83 goals against average earned him the league's Golden Glove for the second time in his career, making him the second player in league history to earn the honor twice.

Vitiello's play earned him league recognition throughout the season, including the only goalkeeper spot on the USL Championship All-League First Team. He was named to the league's Team of the Week on two occasions during the regular season and earned two wins on five nominations for Save of the Week. On October 14, he became the club's all-time shutouts leader. Republic FC's 1-0 win over Miami FC in the regular season finale marked his 11th clean sheet of the season and 22nd across all competitions since joining the club ahead of the 2022 campaign, moving him past former Republic FC goalkeeper and 2021-22 Israeli Premier League MVP Josh Cohen for the most in club history.

Vitiello is the first Republic FC goalkeeper to win the annual league honor. He is the 12th player to earn the award in league history, joining a list that includes current LAFC goalkeepers Maxime Crépeau (Ottawa Fury, 2018) and John McCarthy (Rochester Rhinos, 2014) - also the winner of the 2022 MLS Cup MVP and 2023 Concacaf Champions' League Golden Glove - 2010 MLS Cup winner Matt Pickens (Nashville SC, 2019), and current D.C. United Head of Goalkeeping Diego Restrepo (San Antonio FC, 2017).

Season ticket memberships for the 2024 season are now on sale. To learn more about membership benefits - including how to secure the best seats at the lowest price per match - visit SacRepbulicFC.com/memberships.

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