One name kept popping up on ballot after ballot of the FC Buffalo team awards.
LEAGUE AWARDS: Vote Nevado and Kieran until Midnight ET
Third-year player Kieran Toland (Paisley, Scotland / Saint Bonaventure University) was voted Most Valuable Player and Best Offensive Player by his teammates, finished second in the Supporters’ Choice Award as voted by the public, and also was a co-winner of the Heart and Soul Award.
“Kieran cares about this club deeply, and came back after missing a year to injury and another playing in England,” said FCB co-owner Nick Mendola. “Pick a cliche and it’s true: He gave us everything and led vocally and by example. We’re proud to know him.”
Joining Kieran as Heart and Soul co-winner was a fellow third-year man who also now holds the distinction of being a two-season award winner; Austin Stout (Philadephia, Pennsylvania / Duquesne University) was also voted as the club’s Unsung Hero for the second season in-a-row.
“Austin spent three seasons dedicating himself to the game, his team, and our club,” Mendola said. “We’re excited to follow his future as a player and a person, and can hardly wait to see him continue to impress in the soccer world.”
Bryce Tramuta (Jeanette, Pennsylvania / Canisius College) claimed the Supporters’ Choice Award while also receiving several votes for Unsung Hero and Best Defensive Player.
Voted onto the Top Drawer Soccer NPSL Team of the Week in May, Tramuta had a 288-minute shutout streak in his second season with FCB.
Best Defensive Player honors went to Josh Read (Bath, England / Saint Francis Xavier University of Nova Scotia). Josh played in every league match for the club and was a force in the air and in distribution as center back.
Still to come: Toland and rookie forward Nevado Elliott are in the running for NPSL Midwest Region Best XI after claiming All-Conference honors. … Nevado also was twice named to the NPSL Team of the Week this season.
