Phoenix Rising winger and captain Solomon Asante has been named the Most Valuable Player of the 2020 USL Championship, becoming the second player to claim the award twice in the league’s history.
Asante follows in the footsteps of current Minnesota United FC forward Kevin Molino, who earned the award in the 2012 and 2014 seasons.
The 30-year-old former Ghanaian international led the Championship with 42 chances created in the regular season and tied for the league-lead with nine Big Chances Created according to Opta.
He also finished fourth in the league with 23 shots on goal, and sixth in the league with 52 shots.
Asante earned 22 percent of the vote to win the award. Louisville City FC’s Cameron Lancaster finished second on 15 percent, while the Charlotte Independence’s Dane Kelly finished third on seven percent.
The 2020 USL Championship Awards were voted on by team technical staffs and executives and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL Championship market.
The former TP Mazembe winger in 2019 was named the Most Valuable Player.
2020 USL CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS
Goalkeeper of the Year: Ben Lundt, Louisville City FC
Defender of the Year: Forrest Lasso, Tampa Bay Rowdies
Coach of the Year: Troy Lesesne, New Mexico United & Ian Russell, Reno 1868 FC
Young Player of the Year: Wilson Harris, Sporting Kansas City II
Most Valuable Player: Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC