The United Soccer League announced the finalists for the 2016 USL Awards, which will be announced during USL Awards Week between Monday, Oct. 31 and Friday, Nov. 4. New York Red Bulls II has been nominated for four out of five awards, including Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
New York Red Bulls II forward Brandon Allen has been nominated for both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player, which will be announced Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4. The 2016 USL Awards were voted on by team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market.
Brandon Allen’s rookie season has been an impressive one, as he finished second in the USL Golden Boot Race. His 15 goals were tied for the second most in the league this year, paired with four assists, which was tied for third most on Red Bulls II. His total points, 34, was good for second in the league as well. He tallied 68 shots and 35 shots on goal, which was sixth and tied for fifth best in USL.
In the playoffs, Allen led all postseason goal scorers with six tallies in just four games. One of his six goals was a game-tying 119th minute penalty kick, the only player to score a penalty kick goal in regulation this postseason. He also buried both his penalty kicks in their two postseason shootouts.
Allen was named Finals MVP after scoring a hat trick and recording an assist in the USL Cup Final to lead his team to victory. Included in his hat trick was the eventual game-winning goal, giving him an impressive total of 21 goals in all competitions this season.
