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NEW YORK CITY (September 23, 2022) – MLS NEXT Pro today announced the winners of its regular season awards, honoring the best in the League’s inaugural season of play. Columbus Crew 2’s Laurent Courtois has been named Coach of the Year and Crew 2’s Patrick Schulte has been awarded Goalkeeper of the Year. The Best XI is made up of the top players at each position and represents eight Clubs in MLS NEXT Pro.
All awards were voted on by the head coaches and Chief Soccer Officers at MLS NEXT Pro Clubs, as well as League broadcast and content teams.
Crew 2’s head coach Laurent Courtois led his team to the best record (55 points, 16-3-5) in MLS NEXT Pro, the top seed in the Eastern Conference in the upcoming MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs and the Central Division title. Under his guidance, Columbus was first in the League in points, wins, goals for (62), goal differential (+40) and had the best record at home (11-1-0). The team also had the fewest losses and was tied for the fewest goals allowed (22). Courtois saw two of his MLS NEXT Pro players, Jacen Russell-Rowe and Mo Farsi, sign Columbus Crew first team contracts during the season. Other finalists for Coach of the Year were Rochester New York FC’s Bruno Baltazar, St Louis CITY2’s John Hackworth and Tacoma Defiance’s Wade Webber.
Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte (10-1-4) was a key factor in his team’s success in the regular season. He started 15 games, playing 1,350 minutes and allowing just 15 total goals. His goals against average (1.0) and win percentage (66.7%) were the best in the League among goalkeepers who played in more than half their team’s matches. Schulte’s 10 wins were tied for the most in MLS NEXT Pro and his seven clean sheets were second in the League. Other finalists for Goalkeeper of the Year were Rochester New York FC’s Caique, North Texas SC’s Antonio Carrera, Toronto FC II’s Luka Gavran and Philadelphia Union II’s Matthew Freese.
The MLS NEXT Pro Best XI is as follows:
Goalkeeper (1):
Patrick Schulte – Columbus Crew 2
Defenders (3):
Mo Farsi – Columbus Crew 2
Kyle Hiebert – St Louis CITY2
Talen Maples – Houston Dynamo 2
Midfielders (4):
Pedro Dolabella – Rochester New York FC
Aziel Jackson – MNUFC2
Isaiah Parente - Columbus Crew 2
Marlon Vargas – Tacoma Defiance
Forwards (3):
Bernard Kamungo – North Texas SC
Jack Lynn – Orlando City B
Jacen Russell-Rowe - Columbus Crew 2
Nine of the Best XI players will participate in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs beginning this weekend with the Conference Semifinals.
Following the conclusion of the regular season last Sunday, Crew 2’s Russell-Rowe was crowned MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot winner after scoring 21 goals in 19 games. The final award of the regular season, the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro MVP presented by adidas, will be announced Wednesday, October 5.
About MLS NEXT Pro
Launched in March 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway. With 21 Clubs competing during the inaugural season – 20 MLS-affiliated and one independent club, Rochester New York FC – MLS NEXT Pro is growing the game through innovation and diversity by bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field. Seven MLS-affiliated clubs will join MLS NEXT Pro in 2023: Atlanta United, Austin FC, Charlotte FC, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Football Club, Nashville Soccer Club and New York Red Bulls. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead. Beginning in 2023, MLS NEXT Pro matches will be streamed live on the Apple TV app as part of the monumental partnership between Apple and Major League Soccer.
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