The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce an extensive range of end of season awards to cap off the 2016 season.
Awards will be voted on by all stakeholders including teams, fans, supporters, and media. The following is a timeline of award announcements along with a brief description of each:
Thursday, July 28th – The PUMA Golden Boot will be awarded to the NPSL’s top goalscorer. Only goals scored in the regular season will be used to determine the winner. Goals scored during the preseason, postseason, exhibition, or U.S. Open Cup matches will not count toward a player’s total.
Friday, July 29th – The Global Scarves Supporter of the Year is a supporter-driven award that allows fans and supporters to submit their favorite photos to the league office for consideration. Photos can be submitted to media@npslsoccer.net by July 15th with a supporter vote (July 24th – 27th) deciding the eventual winner. The league office will determine the finalists for voting purposes.
Monday, August 1st – The Supporters’ XI will be an all-league team voted on by the NPSL’s fans and supporters. Online voting will take place from July 24th – July 27th. This award will now include First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mention. Each team will consist of a goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards.
Tuesday, August 2nd – The All-NPSL Team will be voted on by members of the media that covered the NPSL in the 2015 season. Private voting will take place from July 24th – July 27th. This award will now include First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mention. Each team will consist of a goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards.
Wednesday, August 3rd – The Alexander Arellano Memorial Trophy, voted on by the teams themselves, is awarded to the top head coach in the NPSL. Alex Arellano was a young man who touched the lives of many in the NPSL, so much that the league crafted an award in his memory. Alex, the middle son of Real San Jose owner Nick Arellano, passed away in 2012 at the age of 25. Private voting will take place from July 24th – July 27th.
Thursday, August 4th – The NPSL Golden Gloves, voted on by the teams themselves, is awarded to the league’s top goalkeeper. Private voting will take place from July 24th – July 27th.
Friday, August 5th – The Mitre Golden Ball, voted on by the teams themselves, is awarded to the league’s top player, regardless of position. Private voting will take place from July 24th – July 27th.
Saturday, August 6th – The PUMA Player of the Game from the NPSL National Championship game will be announced. This will be decided by league staff and media members in attendance at the match.
Friday, August 19th – Staples Make More Happen Goal of the Year will allow fans and supporters to decide on their favorite goal of the year. Only goals from the regular season and postseason are eligible. Goals from exhibition and preseason matches are not eligible. Teams, fans, and supporters will submit nominations to carlos@npslsoccer.net by August 8th with a supporter vote (August 10th – 14th) determining the eventual winner. All nominations must include a video link and a brief description (i.e. date, player, opponent, score) of the goal. The league office will determine the finalists for voting purposes. Most importantly, Staples will be making a $1,000 donation to a children’s charity in the market of the winning goal.
ABOUT THE NPSL
The NPSL is a national league that operates in the 4th Division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. NPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup through their affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The NPSL remains one of the largest national leagues in North America.
