USL Championship Announces Statistical Award-Winners
October 7, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The USL Championship announced on Wednesday its statistical award-winners for the 2020 season, with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC's goalkeeper Danny Vitiello claiming the Golden Glove and Phoenix Rising FC's taking the Assists Champion award for a second consecutive season.
A second-year professional, Vitiello became the Hounds' starter midway through the season and quickly impressed on the way to a 0.500 goals-against average. Vitiello recorded five shutouts in eight appearances and saved two penalty kicks on four attempts with an overall save percentage of 77.8 percent.
Vitiello claimed the award by the narrowest of margins, edging out San Diego Loyal SC's Jon Kempin, who finished the season with a 0.504 goals-against average in 10 appearances on loan from Columbus Crew SC.
Named the Championship's Most Valuable Player in 2019, Asante became the first player to claim the Assists Champion award in back-to-back seasons. The Ghanaian standout recorded nine assists to claim the award this season and also led the Championship in Chances Created. Over the past three seasons, Asante has recorded a league-best 34 assists, to move into fourth place all-time in the Championship in assists.
With 14 goals, Junior Flemmings of Phoenix Rising FC is the winner of the 2020 Golden Boot.
The USL Championship's statistical awards are the first to be announced, with the 2020 USL Championship All-League Teams to be announced in the week prior to the 2020 USL Championship Final on Sunday, November 1.
The 2020 USL Championship Awards including Most Valuable Player, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year will then be announced following the 2020 USL Championship Final on Sunday, November 1.
USL Championship Statistical Awards - Past Five Seasons
Golden Boot
2020 - Junior Flemmings, Phoenix Rising FC
2019 - Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC
2018 - Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC
2017 - Dane Kelly, Reno 1868 FC
2016 - Sean Okoli, FC Cincinnati
Golden Glove
2020 - Danny Vitiello, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
2019 - Matt Pickens, Nashville SC
2018 - Evan Newton, FC Cincinnati
2017 - Tomas Gomez, Rochester Rhinos
2016 - Tomas Gomez, Rochester Rhinos
Assists Champion
2020 - Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC
2019 - Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC
2018 - Emmanuel Ledesma, FC Cincinnati
2017 - Chris Wehan, Reno 1868 FC
2016 - Villyan Bijev, Portland Timbers 2
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 7, 2020
- Around the League: Championship Playoff Edition - Sacramento Republic FC
- Know the Foe: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - Louisville City FC
- Riverhounds SC Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello Wins Golden Glove Award - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- USL Championship Announces Statistical Award-Winners - USL
- North Carolina FC's Youth to Pro Pipeline Comes to Light as Dre Fortune Highlights 2020 NCFC Team Awards as Most Valuable Player - North Carolina FC
- Limited Quantity of Seats for Independence's First Match of the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs Are Now Available - Charlotte Independence
- El Paso Locomotive FC Western Conference Quarterfinal at Southwest University Park Sells Out - El Paso Locomotive FC
- USL HQ and USLBPA Announce Partnership with Black Arrow FC - USL
- FC Tulsa to Host Watch Party at ONEOK Field for Saturday Playoff Match - FC Tulsa
- Orange County SC Transfers Keeper Aaron Cervantes to Glasgow Rangers FC - Orange County SC
- Hartford Athletic to Host First Round Playoff Match at Dillon Stadium on October 10th at 7 PM - Hartford Athletic
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.
