CincinnatiSoccerTalk.com would like to announce our 2nd Annual Cincinnati Soccer Talk FC Cincinnati Player of The Year Award!
CST is opening voting for this award to fans, listeners, and readers of our site. Voting is open until Sunday, October 15th for this 2nd annual award. The winner will be announced after the regular season to go along with other awards given by the Cincinnati Soccer Talk staff.
Please read the short season bios below and make your choice. Fans can vote at the bottom of this story. Players for the final voting were nominated by our staff, but now you get to choose the winner. Get your vote in early so your favorite player can win our POY award.
Nominees
Corben Bone – The central midfielder tied for third most starts for an outfield player and was third in minutes played while being subbed off once in 2017. His two goals came at the end of the season vs. NYRBII and in a tie at Saint Louis FC. Bone helped turn around the team after a difficult start lighting up the offense in an early season start at home vs. Saint Louis FC. Where Bone really shined was in the opponents’ half of the field, leading the team with an 81 percent passing accuracy. The next best on the team was Tyler Polak at 72 percent.
Harrison Delbridge – Your 2016 CST Fan Vote Player of the Year winner was the 2017 USL minutes leader and had the most starts for the Orange & Blue. A stalwart all season on the back line, Delbridge led the team in interceptions (111) and aerial duels won (102). The Aussie came up huge in U.S. Open Cup play starting in all six matches including a standout performance against the Chicago Fire in where he converted a penalty kick. The center back has been a fan favorite in his time in Cincinnati.
Djiby Fall – One of the more controversial players in FC Cincinnati’s short history, the Senegalese international led the team in goals scored across all competitions (15). His performance vs. Columbus Crew will be remembered after he scored the winner in the Hell is Real Derby. While Fall’s production waned toward the end of the season, the target man still tried to create chances, including setting up the winner in Charlotte. While it remains to be seen if he will return in 2018, Djiby was an important piece in the sophomore campaign of FC Cincinnati.
Danni König – A late addition to the squad after a trade from OKC Energy, König took advantage of his chances and scored 10 times across all competitions. “King König” dazzled at many moments in 2017, but none more so than his goal in Louisville in the first road match in Slugger Field. His conversion rate of nearly 36 percent ranks highest for qualified players in 2017. Through 26 appearances and 14 starts, König could always be counted on to give max effort in his first season for FC Cincinnati.
Mitch Hildebrandt – While not the season he would have dreamt of, Mitch still had many great matches for the Orange & Blue. His match against the Chicago Fire will go down as one of the best displays of goalkeeping that you will see, period. Hildebrandt leads the USL in saves (98) mainly due to chances conceded by the shaky defense ahead of him. Mitch has seven USL regular season Widner’s Cleaners Clean Sheets and four additional clean sheets in US Open Cup play.
Jimmy McLaughlin – Jimmy has quietly been Mr. Consistent for FC Cincinnati. He is second in minutes played for outfield players including being tied with Mitch Hildebrandt for appearances (30). McLaughlin ranks third on the team in goals (five) to go along with two assists. His penalty conversion against Chicago sealed the deal for FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup. He ranked second in chance creation and second in shots on target in 2017. Some believe McLaughlin may have earned himself a shot with an MLS club in 2018, so if this is indeed a close on his Blurange career, many in Cincinnati will appreciate the time he spent building the club on and off the field.
Kenney Walker – Let’s face it, Walker is our field general if we have one. Walker leads the team in several areas, including assists (six), chance creation (46), and tackles (81, next best is 36). Some of the worst performances of the year were in matches without Walker (at NYRBII and at Ottawa). A two-time USL team of the week member and a USL Player of the week in the third weekend in September. If there is one “must” re-signing from the 2017 roster, Walker would be at the top of that list.
Andrew Wiedeman – There aren’t many more players who have played in more positions than Wiedeman in 2017. The California native spent time at right and left wing, CAM, withdrawn forward and striker. Wiedeman accounted for 2 goals, 3 assists and is 3rd on the team with 31 chances created. The forward/midfielder ranks in a tie for 3rd in appearances in the USL regular season with 28 matches played. This fan favorite has also made an impact off the field and we hope to see him back in 2018.
Vote Now:
@bryanweigel for @CincySoccerTalk
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