The United Soccer League Tuesday announced Atlanta United 2’s Andrew Carleton as a finalist for the 2018 Young Player of the Year award. The Homegrown is a finalist along with LA Galaxy II’s Efrain Alvarez, Swope Park Rangers’ Wan Kuzain and New York Red Bulls II’s Hassan Ndam. The winner will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 13.
The rest of the finalists for the 2018 USL Awards were also announced Tuesday, with standout performers in five categories earning nominations after the biggest season in the league’s history. The award winners will be announced during USL Awards Week between Monday, Nov. 12 and Wednesday, Nov. 14.
The 2018 USL Awards were voted on by team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market.
2018 Young Player of the Year Finalists – Winner announced Tuesday, Nov. 13
Andrew Carleton, ATL UTD 2: The United States U-20 international impressed throughout his first full season in the USL as he registered two goals, two assists and 29 chances created in 14 appearances for expansion side ATL UTD 2.
Efrain Alvarez, LA Galaxy II: In his first full season as a professional, Alvarez became the youngest player to record a hat trick in the USL’s history at just 15 years of age and finished the year with 12 goals and three assists.
Wan Kuzain, Swope Park Rangers: Kuzain had a standout year in helping the Rangers return to the USL Cup Playoffs for a third consecutive season as he recorded four goals and posted the fourth-highest passing accuracy rate in the league among players with more than 800 passes at 89.24 percent.
Hassan Ndam, New York Red Bulls II: Ndam continued to be one of the top young defenders in the league as he recorded 57 interceptions, 109 clearances and won 165 duels and 94 aerial duels for New York as it returned to the postseason for a fourth consecutive year.
