RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, October 18, 2016) – The United Soccer League honored the top performers of the 2016 season today, naming Richmond Kickers defender Hugh Roberts to the USL All-League First Team and midfielder Yudai Imura to the USL All-League Second Team. The All-League Team was chosen through a vote of team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market.
Playing every minute of every game for the Kickers in 2016, Roberts anchored the back line to the third best defensive record in the USL Eastern Conference, conceding just 26 goals and posting 13 shutouts en route to a USL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals finish. Contributing on both sides of the ball, he added a goal during the Kickers US Open Cup First Round match in May and his last-gasp equalizer against FC Cincinnati in June led the Kickers to a 1-1 draw in the final second of stoppage time.
Leading the league with 2,700 minutes during the regular season, Roberts has amassed over 6,000 minutes over three seasons in Richmond. The native of Olney, Maryland was discovered at the Kickers’ 2014 Pro Tryouts after making 69 appearances at George Mason University.
In his sophomore season, Imura led the Kickers with 11 goals and two assists, and was a crucial contributor to a midseason five-game winning streak in which he tallied six goals and one assist. Earning his first professional contract after the Kickers 2015 Pro Tryouts, he quickly broke into the starting lineup during his debut season and has since made 49 appearances over two years.
Prior to signing with Richmond, the native of Tokyo, Japan spent one season with Yokogawa Musashino FC of the Japan Football League where he recorded four goals in nine appearances and made 51 appearances with Juntendo University, notching 11 goals and ranking 10th in assists in the Japan College Kanto Conference.
The Finalists for the 2016 USL Awards will be announced on Wednesday, preceding the 2016 USL Cup Final, Presented by Nike, which will air live on ESPNU, the WatchESPN app and be simulcast on SiriusXM on Sunday, October 23 at 8 p.m. ET.
2016 USL All-League First Team
GK – Mitch Hildebrandt, FC Cincinnati
D – Harrison Delbridge, FC Cincinnati
D – Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers
D – Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls II
D – Hugh Roberts, Richmond Kickers
M – Danny Barrera, Sacramento Republic FC
M – Villyan Bijev, Portland Timbers 2
M – Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence
F – Brandon Allen, New York Red Bulls II
F – Jack McBean, LA Galaxy II
F – Sean Okoli, FC Cincinnati
2016 USL All-League Second Team
GK – Devala Gorrick, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
D – Zach Carroll, New York Red Bulls II
D – Joe Farrell, Rochester Rhinos
D – Bruno Perone, Wilmington Hammerheads FC
D – Josh Suggs, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
M – Jose Barril, Harrisburg City Islanders
M – Kenardo Forbes, Rochester Rhinos
M – Yudai Imura, Richmond Kickers
F – Irvin Herrera, Saint Louis FC
F – Corey Hertzog, Pittsburgh Riverhounds
F – Cameron Iwasa, Sacramento Republic FC
