CINCINNATI, OH --- FC Cincinnati’s Mitch Hildebrandt kicked off a week of United Soccer League post-season awards after being named Goalkeeper of the Year today.
“I feel honored to be named Goalkeeper of the Year,” said Hildebrandt. “Our team presses and defends as a group so well that I reap the benefits from it. Our backline players have been absolute monsters and the trust I have in them and they have in me allows me the freedom to concentrate on putting myself in the right spot to make the save.”
Hildebrandt (Livonia, Mich.) was the workhorse of the league, finishing first in the USL in minutes played with 2,608 and games played with 30. He recorded 72 saves and held a 0.86 goals-against average while yielding 25 goals.
He beat out Tomas Gomez from the Rochester Rhinos and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Devala Gorrick for the award.
Hildebrandt was also named to the league’s first team and recognized on the USL Team of the Week three times. He posted a double save at Toronto FC II that denied the home side the go-ahead goal and landed the keeper on Sports Center’s Top 10.
FCC, in its inaugural season, finished third in the USL with a record of 16-6-8 (56 pts.) and capped the season by hosting a quarterfinal match in front of 30,187 for a league playoff record.
John Harkes is in the running for Coach of the Year with Sean Okoli vying for the Most Valuable Player honor. The Coach of the Year will be announced Wed., Nov. 2 and the MVP will be unveiled Fri., Nov. 4.
