
Phoenix Rising FC forward Solomon Asante has retained his USL Championship MVP award, becoming the first player to achieve that feat.
The award voting, which is determined by team technical staffs, executives and a league-wide media panel, garnered 22% of the vote to Asante.
Asante was the third-leading scorer for Phoenix Rising FC with six goals, behind Junior Flemmings with 14 and Rufat Dadashov with 11.
However, the 29-year-old led the club and USL in assists with nine.
While Asante’s 2020 season isn’t as dominant compared to his 2019 MVP campaign the Ghana international continues to keep opposing defenses on its toes, leading the USL with 42 chances created, along with 52 shots and 23 shots on goal.
Asante is the second player to win the most valuable player award twice in the USL, joining Kevin Molino of Orlando City SC, who won the award in 2012 and 2014.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Rising FC ended its season in limbo, being crowned Western Conference Champions but not having the opportunity to play in the USL Championship Final after members of Tampa Bay Rowdies tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the game’s cancelation.