Yesterday, we asked the Orlando City SC Twittersphere to select their Orlando City SC Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year for 2019 as part of our Orlando City UK end-of-season awards.
A public vote designed to recognise the standout Orlando City SC players in another disappointing 2019 MLS campaign, we can now proudly reveal the winners as voted by you!
With over 400 individual votes cast across our three awards categories on Twitter, we want to say thanks to each and every one of you for getting involved.
So without any further ado, here are your Orlando City UK 2019 end-of-season award winners!
2019 Orlando City UK Player of the Year
2018 winner: Yoshimar Yotún
With 48% of the vote, our main man Nani is the thoroughly deserving winning of Orlando City UK’s ‘Player of the Year’ honour, beating off competition from defensive standout Robin Jansson with 27% of the vote.
Big things were expected of the former Manchester United man when signed in February 2019 and despite the Lions failing to reach the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, the UEFA Euro 2016 winner contributed his fair share this year.
Breaking Orlando City SC‘s goal involvement record (22) this season, the Lions captain scored twelve goals and registered ten assists in MLS play.
Orlando City SC 3 New England Revolution 3 – Highlights – September 14, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
The 32-year-old’s finest goal this season was an incredible golazo in a an action-packed 3-3 draw with New England Revolution in September 2019, breaking opposition ankles in the buildup.
Many congratulations, Luis!
#OrlandoCityUK 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ end-of-season awards 🏆
Who is YOUR @OrlandoCitySC Player of the Year for 2019? 🤔
Tesho Akindele 🇨🇦
Robin Jansson 🇸🇪
Nani 🇵🇹
Ruan 🇧🇷Voting closes Friday 11 October (7pm UK / 2pm US) 📕: https://t.co/aNJGzslDIJ#OCTwitter #FaceOfCity #MLSUK
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 10, 2019
2019 Orlando City UK Young Player of the Year
2018 winner: Chris Mueller
Your Orlando City UK ‘Young Player of the Year’ for 2019 is rookie Benji Michel with a huge 51% of the vote.
One of Orlando City SC‘s most heartwarming stories this year was the tale of Michel, a 21-year-old Orlando native returning to The City Beautiful in his first competitive season as a professional.
A former Montverde Academy product, Benji grasped the year 2019 with both hands scoring six goals with five coming in MLS and the other coming in the Round of 16 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against New England Revolution.
It was the latter strike that was Benji’s very first goal as a professional – a moment he would’ve dreamed about since he was a kid!
Orlando City SC 2 New England Revolution 1 (A.E.T.) – Highlights – June 19, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
With the knockout tie deadlocked after 90 minutes, second-half substitute Benji Michel had nothing to lose and everything to gain after entering for Chris Mueller in the 81st minute.
Scoring a 96th minute opener in extra-time to set up a 2-1 (A.E.T.) victory, cue a Benji Michel backflip sparking pure joy and pandemonium in The Wall – what a moment!
Many congratulations, Benji!
#OrlandoCityUK 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ end-of-season awards 🏆
Who is YOUR @OrlandoCitySC Young Player of the Year for 2019? 🤔
Jhegson Méndez 🇪🇨
Benji Michel 🇺🇸
Kamal Miller 🇨🇦
João Moutinho 🇵🇹Voting closes Friday 11 October (7pm UK / 2pm US) 📕: https://t.co/aNJGzslDIJ#FaceOfCity #MLSUK
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 10, 2019
2019 Orlando City UK Newcomer of the Year
2018 winner: Chris Mueller
Not simply your Orlando City UK ‘Player of the Year’ for 2019, Nani is also your Orlando City UK ‘Newcomer of the Year’ having edged out fan favourite Ruan.
With 36% of the vote compared to 30% for the jet-heeled Brazilian, Nani embraced his leadership role at Exploria Stadium with gusto.
Following some initial doubt (*cough, Matt Doyle) questioning whether Nani would adjust to the rigours of life in Major League Soccer – especially part way through Sporting Lisbon’s 2018/19 Primeira Liga campaign – the 32-year-old showed his class throughout the year.
Sure, he looked fatigued at times but ultimately, Orlando City SC lacked a clinical centre forward for Nani to supply on a consistent enough basis.
Congratulations, Luis!
#OrlandoCityUK 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ end-of-season awards 🏆
Who is YOUR @OrlandoCitySC Newcomer of the Year for 2019? 🤔
Tesho Akindele 🇨🇦
Robin Jansson 🇸🇪
Nani 🇵🇹
Ruan 🇧🇷Voting closes Friday 11 October (7pm UK / 2pm US) 📕: https://t.co/aNJGzslDIJ#OCTwitter #FaceOfCity #MLSUK
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 10, 2019