TAMPA, Fla. – Union Omaha forward Ethan Vanacore-Decker has been voted USL League One’s Player of the Month for August after recording two goals and four assists in five games to help his side remain undefeated in its inaugural season and in strong contention for the League One Final in October.
“I feel like I have been practicing well which leads into playing well in the games,” said Vanacore-Decker on his successful run of form. “It took a couple of games to get back into match fitness after being off for such a long time. Hopefully in the remaining games I can help the team by scoring or providing goals so that we can reach our end goal of winning it all.”
Vanacore-Decker spent the past two seasons with the USL Championship’s Sporting Kansas City II and was signed by Omaha this past January for the club’s inaugural season. The 25-year-old’s four assists currently lead USL League One, while his two goals are tied for the team-lead with Evan Conway. The New Jersey native was also named the league’s Player of the Week for Week 4 of the regular season, bringing a confidence to his game he hopes will carry through the rest of the season.
“My confidence is coming from the coaching and the team,” said Vanacore-Decker. “As an entire group we are gaining confidence and chemistry with each game we play. As the games go on hopefully the team and myself will gain more confidence and start to score multiple goals a game.”
Vanacore-Decker received 48 percent of a weighted poll that included the USL League One Technical Committee and an online fan vote held at USLLeagueOne.com. The Richmond Kickers’ Emiliano Terzaghi finished second on 33 percent after recording four goals in four victories for the Kickers, while Chattanooga Red Wolves SC’s Greg Hurst finished third as he recorded three goals and two assists over the month.
Nominee | Fan Vote | Weight | USL Vote | Weight | Total Vote |
Ethan Vanacore-Decker (OMA) | 47% | 28% | 50% | 20% | 48% |
Emiliano Terzaghi (RIC) | 21% | 13% | 50% | 20% | 33% |
Greg Hurst (CHA) | 20% | 12% | 0% | 0% | 12% |
Ricky Lopez-Espin (FTL) | 8% | 5% | 0% | 0% | 5% |
Dallas Jaye (GVL) | 3% | 2% | 0% | 0% | 2% |