TAMPA, Fla. – Louisville City FC’s Ben Lundt didn’t make the most saves in the USL Championship’s regular season or record the most shutouts.

But when his side needed him most, Lundt came up with the key saves that earned LouCity the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-year professional the honor of being named the Championship’s goalkeeper of the ear.

“While I’d trade the personal recognition for having won the Eastern Conference final, I’m very honored to be named Goalkeeper of the Year from such a great group at the position this season,” Lundt said in a statement. “Thank you to my coaches, fellow goalkeepers and the whole team helping me strive to improve.”

Appearing in all-but-one of Louisville’s regular season contests, the 25-year-old was a model of consistency. His 74.4 save percentage was the second-highest in the Championship among goalkeepers who appeared in at least 14 games, while his 0.73 goals-against average and seven shutouts also placed him among the league leaders in both categories.

But it was Lundt’s ability to produce the big save at key moments that saw the German shot-stopper stand out in a crowded field that produced a narrow margin of victory over other worthy contenders. He began the year in superb fashion with a highlight-reel save against North Carolina FC that led to a 1-0 victory. He ended the year in similar fashion against Saint Louis FC, again producing a key stop on the road in a 1-0 win in LouCity’s penultimate game of the season.

“We are so proud of Ben and his growth as a player and person while here at LouCity,” LouCity head ocach John Hackworth said in a statement. “He has matured both on and off the field. The work that goalkeepers coach Scott Budnick has done is impressive, while Ben’s peers, Chris Hubbard and Mu Ugarak, have pushed Ben all season. This individual recognition for Ben is fantastic, but it is a reflection of the collective work of our team.”

Lundt earned 36.8 percent of the ballot to claim the award, while the Charlotte Independence’s Brandon Miller finished second on 35.6 percent and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s Kyle Morton took third on 27.6 percent.

The USL Championship awards were voted on by team technical staffs and executives and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL Championship market. Voting was conducted following the conclusion of the Championship regular season.

 

2020 USL Championship awards

Goalkeeper of the Year: Ben Lundt, Louisville City FC
Defender of the Year: Announced November 4
Coach of the Year: Announced November 5
Young Player of the Year: Announced November 5
Most Valuable Player: Announced November 6

USL Championship goalkeeper of the year

2011: Miguel Gallardo, Orlando City SC
2012: Kristian Nicht, Rochester Rhinos
2013: Andrew Dykstra, Richmond Kickers
2014: John McCarthy, Rochester Rhinos
2015: Brandon Miller, Rochester Rhinos
2016: Mitch Hildebrandt, FC Cincinnati
2017: Diego Restrepo, San Antonio FC
2018: Maxime Crepeau, Ottawa Fury FC
2019: Matt Pickens, Nashville SC

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.