New York's Long Named USL Defender of the Year
November 1, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The United Soccer League announced today New York Red Bulls II defender Aaron Long had been voted the 2016 USL Defender of the Year after anchoring a defense that conceded the fewest goals in the USL in the 2016 regular 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.
"Before I was bouncing around at center mid, right back, left back, center back," said Long. "This year's been my first primarily at center back, or just in any one position for a full year, and I think that's helped me grow and learn the position a lot better."
USLSoccer.com: Long Thrives as Part of Red Bulls Family
Long joined the Red Bulls II this offseason from fellow USL club Seattle Sounders FC 2, and immediately made a major impact in the center of the club's defense. Long made 22 appearances for the Red Bulls II in the regular season, recording a pair of goals, as his ability to read the play and limit opponents' clear chances helped New York claim the USL Regular Season Championship and eventually the 2016 USL Cup.
The Red Bulls II completed the regular season with shutouts in more than half of their contests, finishing one shy of the USL record with 16 on the season. The side conceded only 21 goals in the regular season, and allowed multiple goals in a game just five times in 30 contests.
A third-year professional, Long was also selected by the New York Red Bulls to compete in the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, as the Red Bulls advanced to the quarterfinal stage of the tournament next spring.
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: Announced November 2
Rookie of the Year: Announced November 3
Most Valuable Player: Announced November 4
USL
The United Soccer League, the longest-standing professional affiliate member of U.S. Soccer, is the largest professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, and the world, with 29 teams in 19 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces during the recent 2016 season. The USL has more than doubled in size since 2014 and built a stable, highly competitive professional soccer league on a national footprint with strong ownership groups in major markets positioned for long-term success. The 2016 season marked the introduction of six teams - Bethlehem Steel FC, FC Cincinnati, Orlando City B, Rio Grande Valley FC, San Antonio FC and the Swope Park Rangers. The league has confirmed the additions of Reno 1868 FC, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury FC in 2017 and Nashville SC in 2018. The USL's teams are divided into two conferences - Eastern and Western - with each team playing 32 regular season games starting in 2017. In addition to league play, USL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various domestic and international exhibitions. The USL is the strongest U.S. men's professional soccer league below Major League Soccer. Follow the USL at USLSoccer.com, on YouTube (www.YouTube.com/USL), and on social media via Twitter, Facebook, Vine and Instagram.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from November 1, 2016
- Sounders U23's Caldwell, FC Boston's Robinson Named Top PDL - USL
- NYRB II's Aaron Long Named USL Defender of the Year - New York Red Bulls II
- New York's Long Named USL Defender of the Year - USL
- San Antonio FC Midfielder Rafa Castillo Returns for 2017 USL Season - San Antonio FC
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