Reno's Wehan Named Rookie of the Year
November 21, 2017 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The United Soccer League announced on Tuesday Reno 1868 FC's Chris Wehan had been voted the 2017 USL Rookie of the Year after a breakout year that saw the former University of New Mexico standout tie the USL single-season record for assists in a remarkable year for the 2017 USL expansion club.
Wehan received 72 percent of the vote to earn the award, with Louisville City FC's Richard Ballard and Bethlehem Steel FC's Santi Moar finishing tied for second place with 14 percent apiece.
The 2017 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 2017 USL regular season.
"It was a great year - I think all of the stars aligned for me," said Wehan. "I was on a really good team, I had a lot of good players around me which helped me personally. I had a chip on my shoulder a little bit after what I'd gone through with the draft and not finding a home at the very start, but I was super-fortunate this year to be part of the group."
A 2016 Conference USA All-League First Team selection for New Mexico, Wehan made his professional debut in 1868 FC's inaugural contest in the USL and built a prolific rapport with Reno forwards Dane Kelly and Antoine Hoppenot on his way to posting 12 assists during the regular season. The mark tied Wehan with Matt Dallman's total for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds during the 2013 USL regular season.
Wehan also came through as a goal-scorer for 1868 FC, finishing third on the team with eight goals, as Reno set a USL single-season record with 75 goals in the regular season.
2017 USL Awards
Goalkeeper of the Year: Diego Restrepo, San Antonio FC
Coach of the Year: Mark Briggs, Real Monarchs SLC
Defender of the Year: Sebastien Ibeagha, San Antonio FC
Rookie of the Year: Chris Wehan, Reno 1868 FC
Most Valuable Player: Announced November 22
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from November 21, 2017
- FC CINCINNATI ADDS SEYMORE, VILLAGE, CICERONE - FC Cincinnati
- Reno's Wehan Named Rookie of the Year - USL
- Reno's Wehan Named Rookie of the Year - USL
- FC CINCINNATI ADDS SEYMORE, VILLAGE, CICERONE - FC Cincinnati
- FC CINCINNATI ADDS SEYMORE, VILLAGE, CICERONE - FC Cincinnati
- Utah Youth Soccer Association Joins PDL - USL
- SAN ANTONIO FC DEFENDER SEBASTIEN IBEAGHA NAMED USL DEFENDER OF THE YEAR - San Antonio FC
- Played key role in back line as San Antonio recorded league-high 15 shutouts - USL
- Played key role in back line as San Antonio recorded league-high 15 shutouts - USL
- Played key role in back line as San Antonio recorded league-high 15 shutouts - USL
- FC CINCINNATI ADDS NASL CHAMP TYLER GIBSON - FC Cincinnati
- FC CINCINNATI ADDS NASL CHAMP TYLER GIBSON - FC Cincinnati
- FOX21's SOCO CW to Broadcast Switchbacks FC Home Games on Local Television - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Orlando City B Head Coach Anthony Pulis Departs for Saint Louis FC - Orlando City B
- Jeff Berding Statement On Teleconference Call Between Major League Soccer - FC Cincinnati
- Real Monarchs Head Coach Mark Briggs Wins 2017 USL Coach of the Year - Real Monarchs
- Real Monarchs' Briggs Named Coach of the Year - USL
- Restrepo Led SAFC to Best Defensive Record and Most Shutouts in USL - San Antonio FC
- San Antonio's Restrepo Named Goalkeeper of the Year - USL
- SAN ANTONIO FC GOALKEEPER DIEGO RESTREPO NAMED USL GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR - San Antonio FC
- Head Coach James O'Connor to Address Media at End of Season - Louisville City FC
- FC CINCINNATI CONTINUES TO TIGHTEN UP DEFENSE WITH LASSO - FC Cincinnati
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.