At the beginning of the week, we asked the almighty Orlando City SC Twittersphere to select their Orlando City SC Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year as part of our inaugural Orlando City UK end-of-season awards.
A public vote designed to recognise the hard work and graft of selected Orlando City SC players in an extremely disappointing 2018 MLS campaign, we can now proudly reveal the winners as voted by you!
With over 300 individual votes cast across our three awards categories on Twitter, we want to say thanks to each and every one of you for taking the time to get involved.
So without any further ado, here are your Orlando City UK 2018 end-of-season award winners!
2018 Orlando City UK Player of the Year
With just over 65% of the vote, our 2018 FIFA World Cup hero Yoshimar Yotún is the thoroughly deserving winner of Orlando City UK’s first ever ‘Player of the Year’ honour.
Making 21 appearances for the Lions this term and successfully converting three penalties out of three against Minnesota United (H), Colorado Rapids (A) and Columbus Crew (H), we certainly missed our creative midfielder when away on international duty!
Many congratulations Yoshi!
#OrlandoCityUK 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ end-of-season awards 🏆
Who is YOUR @OrlandoCitySC Player of the Year for 2018? 🤔@Ddwyer14 🇺🇸@SachaKljestan 🇺🇸@scott_sutter 🇨🇭
Yoshimar Yotún 🇵🇪Voting closes Wednesday (7pm UK / 2pm US) 📕: https://t.co/7T3qSbMCPL
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 22, 2018
2018 Orlando City UK Young Player of the Year
A revelation in his first ever campaign in professional soccer, Chris Mueller was by far and away your Orlando City UK ‘Young Player of the Year’ for 2018 with 90% of the vote.
Up against fellow winter arrival Josué Colmán in a two-player contest, nobody can deny the raw speed, enthusiasm and energy that the 22-year-old has brought to Orlando City SC this season.
Making 31 appearances for the Lions and scoring three times, Chris “Cash” Mueller will never forget scoring his first ever professional goal against Portland Timbers at Orlando City Stadium on April 8.
Scoring the goal that preceded the most remarkable of ten-minute turnarounds with Mueller’s strike making it 1-2 on 80 minutes, a penalty from Sacha Kljestan (82nd minute) and a strike from Dom Dwyer (87th minute) sealed an amazing 3-2 comeback and the most enjoyable moment in our 2018 season.
Many congratulations Chris!
#OrlandoCityUK 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ end-of-season awards 🏆
Who is YOUR @OrlandoCitySC Young Player of the Year for 2018? 🤔@cmueller1662 🇺🇸@ColmanJosue 🇵🇾
Voting closes Wednesday (7pm UK / 2pm US) 📕: https://t.co/7T3qSbMCPL
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 22, 2018
2018 Orlando City UK Newcomer of the Year
Not simply your Orlando City UK ‘Young Player of the Year’ for 2018, Chris Mueller is also your Orlando City UK ‘Newcomer of the Year’ having narrowly edged out Mohamed El-Munir.
With 46% of the vote compared to 41% for the Libya international, former Wisconsin Badgers forward Chris Mueller has certainly made an impression in his debut MLS campaign.
It’s not only the raw enthusiasm and energy of the 22-year-old but also the passion clearly visible on his face throughout an extremely challenging first ever taste of professional soccer.
Becoming an instant fan favourite among Lions supporters given his work ethic and positive attitude, well done on your double triumph, Chris!
Coming in a worthy second place, well done to Mohamed El-Munir too!
#OrlandoCityUK 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ end-of-season awards 🏆
Who is YOUR @OrlandoCitySC Newcomer of the Year for 2018? 🤔
Mohamed El-Munir 🇱🇾@cmueller1662 🇺🇸@LamineSane06 🇸🇳@AmroAbdelAziz 🇪🇬
Voting closes Wednesday (7pm UK / 2pm US) 📕: https://t.co/7T3qSbMCPL
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 22, 2018