Omaha’s Rashid Nuhu Voted 2022 League One Goalkeeper of the Year
October 31, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One today announced that Union Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu was voted the 2022 USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year Award. The back-to-back Golden Glove winner and 2022 All-League First Team selection helped Omaha to another special season. The Ghanaian led the league with a 0.98 goals-against average mark and helped Omaha to the fewest goals conceded during the season (33).
“I’m very grateful and privileged to receive this award,” Nuhu said. “It was a huge personal goal of mine going into the season. I could not be happier that I get the honor to check this box. I will use this opportunity to thank God for making this possible, to thank my friends and family for being the best support system and keeping me in it, to thank Kevin [Piedrahita] for putting me in the best position each training to get better, to thank my coaches for pushing me on and off the field to excel and always improve, and to thank my team, my brothers.”
Despite missing seven of Omaha’s 30 matches, Nuhu helped Omaha to an 8-4-11 record when between the sticks, earned the second-most clean sheets in the league (9) and his 22 goals conceded in the regular season were the fewest amongst goalkeepers with 20 or more matches played.
“I am so proud of Rashid,” Omaha Head Coach Jay Mims said. “It was not the ending we all wanted, but that does not take away the incredible run our team had this season. Rashid was a big part, leading the way again for our club. It is such a great accomplishment to win the Golden Boot for a second consecutive season in such a competitive league.”
A product of Ghana’s prestigious Right to Dream Academy, Nuhu began his American soccer career at Fordham University in 2015. Drafted 70th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls, Nuhu made his professional debut in the USL Championship with New York Red Bulls II in 2019. The Ghanaian ‘keeper’s career took off following his signing with League One expansion side Union Omaha in 2020. With the Owls, Nuhu has amassed the second-most clean sheets in league history (25) and 133 saves across regular season and postseason play to earn a championship in 2021 and back-to-back Golden Gloves.
Nuhu received 48% of the ballot to earn the award. 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year and 2022 All-League Second Team selection Akira Fitzgerald finished second on 31% with his league-record 105 saves, while Greenville’s Paul Christensen finished third on 21% for a season-high 10 clean sheets.
The 2022 USL League One Awards were voted on by club technical staffs and executives.
USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year
2022 – Rashid Nuhu, Union Omaha
2021 – Akira Fitzgerald, Richmond Kickers
2020 – Dallas Jaye, Greenville Triumph SC
2019 – Dallas Jaye, Greenville Triumph SC
2022 USL League One Awards
Goalkeeper of the Year: Rashid Nuhu, Union Omaha
Defender of the Year: Tuesday, Nov. 1
Young Player of the Year: Wednesday, Nov. 2
Comeback Player of the Year: Wednesday, Nov. 2
Coach of the Year: Thursday, Nov. 3
Most Valuable Player: Friday, Nov. 4
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