The 2022 Player Awards are here! Since the start of the season, Loudoun United FC has scored breathtaking goals, produced stellar saves and broken a plethora of club records. The Red-and-White have put together a shortlist of the Best Goals, Saves, and Players of the 2022 season. Nominees for each award will be highlighted the week prior to the winner being announced. Follow @LoudounUnitedFC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date.
The slate of awards for the 2022 campaign is as follows:
Players’ Choice Award: This award, voted on solely by his teammates, celebrates the player who exemplifies what it means to be a ‘United’ player through their attitude, reliability, character and success on and off the pitch. The winner will be announced on Saturday, November 12.
Best Goal: This award celebrates the most outstanding goal of the season. With 36 goals on the season, we’ve narrowed it down to the top 5. Voting for this award will end Friday, October 28 at 5 p.m. EST The winner will be announced on Saturday, October 29. You can submit your vote for Best Goal of the Season here.
Best Save: This award honors the best save of the 2022 season. Loudoun United finished second with the most saves in the USL Championship Regular Season. Voting for this award will end Friday, November 4 at 5 p.m. EST. The winner will be announced on Saturday, November 5. You can submit your vote for Best Save of the Season here.
Fans’ Choice Award: This award is designated for the top performer of the 2022 season. The winner will be selected via a vote by the Red-and-White fans! Voting for this award will end Friday, November 11 at 5 p.m. EST. The winner will be announced on Saturday, November 12. You can submit your vote here.
2022 Finalists
Luis Zamudio
In his first season with the Red-and-White, goalkeeper Luis Zamudio was instrumental in Loudoun United’s defensive success. In 27 appearances, ‘El Pulpo’ recorded 105 saves – the second most in the USL Championship Regular Season. Zamudio holds the club’s single season clean sheet record (7); which ties the number of clean sheets United has kept in the first three seasons combined.
Nicky Downs
Since making his debut in the 2021 season, Nicky Downs has played 64 matches under Head Coach Ryan Martin. In 2022, Downs became the only Loudoun United player to start every match in a single-season; eclipsing 50 matches with the Red-and-White on July 27 against Birmingham Legion. The midfielder recorded 1,784 passes with a 92.1 % passing accuracy, 2 assists and 16 key passes. Downs leads the team with 45 interceptions and 41 tackles won.
Jacob Greene
Homegrown defender Jacob Greene had arguably the most consistent season by a player for United. In 33 matches (32 starts), Greene recorded 2 goals, 1 assist and 28 key passes. On the defensive side, the D.C. United Academy product produced 42 clearances, 20 interceptions, 34 successful tackles and a team-high 130 duels won.
Skage Simonsen
MLS Draft Pick Skage Simonsen inked his name in the record books for Loudoun United FC. After missing the beginning of the season due to injury, the Norwegian finished the season with a single season record 7 assists. In 25 appearances, Simonsen scored 2 goals, created a team-high 34 chances and won 126 duels.
Tyler Freeman
At only 19 years old, Freeman had many impressive performances in his first season with the Red-and-White. In 24 appearances, Freeman scored a team-best 8 goals – the most goals scored in a single-season by a Loudoun United player since 2019. The forward recorded 21 chances created and 1 assist.
