USL League One announced today that Fort Lauderdale CF defender Noah Allen has been voted 2021 USL League One Young Player of the Year.
“It means everything,” said Allen. “I’m truly blessed to be named USL League One Young Player of the Year and to even get a shot to play for this team this year. Obviously, I wanted to take my experience and take my opportunity and I’m happy that I was able to get this award. It’s amazing.”
“Noah has continued to grow for the last couple of years, within the Academy and the U-17 team, then progressing into USL and obviously a couple of training opportunities with the First Team. You see his application each day, him wanting to get better, and I think that’s been one of the keys to his success this year,” said Fort Lauderdale CF head coach Darren Powell.
Allen, 17, joined Fort Lauderdale CF late in 2020 as an Academy registered player, making his debut in October of that season. The left back built on that opportunity in 2021, completing his first full season at the professional level.
Previously a U.S. U-15 selection, Allen was one of the constants in Fort Lauderdale’s lineup throughout the season, leading the side with 2,430 minutes of action as one of four players to top 2,000 minutes in the regular season. He showed impressively at both ends of the field, ranking second on the team with 35 interceptions while winning 34 of 44 tackles – a 77.3 percent success rate – at the defensive end. In attack, he finished second on the team with 28 key passes – 17 of which came from open play – and notched his first two assists in the professional ranks.
Overall, the Academy-registered Pembroke Pines, Florida native recorded a +2.98 Goals Added mark as he completed 80.5 percent of 1,033 passes across the regular season.
Allen received 19 percent of the ballot to earn the award. Fort Lauderdale CF teammate Shaan Hundal and Toronto FC II’s Kobe Franklin each received 13 percent, with 10 different players earning votes on the ballot.
The 2021 USL League One Awards were voted on by team technical staffs and executives representing every team.
