TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One today announced that Central Valley Fuego FC forward Alfredo Midence has been voted the 2024 USL League One Young Player of the Year. The 22-year-old first-year professional also claimed the Golden Playmaker award with a league-leading eight assists.

"It's an honor to be named the Young Player of the Year, and I would not be here without my teammates, so I would like to thank them for all their support throughout the season," Midence said. "I'd also like to congratulate my good friend, Luis Álvarez, on his nomination as well. Lastly, I want to thank God, my friends and my family who have been there for me throughout the years. 

"Hard work pays off, and that is embodied in one of my favorite quotes: 'The brave don't live forever but the cautious do not live at all.' Stay hungry, and never give up!"

Through only 15 matches and 1,064 minutes of regular season play, the 22-year-old locked up the Golden Playmaker award and All-League Second Team honors in his first professional season with eight assists. Midence's 133 minutes per assist is the most in a single regular season in league history among players who participated in at least 25% of their team's minutes, and the 22-year-old added two goals, 95 duels won, 43 dribbles completed, 39 chances created, 28 recoveries, 27 fouls won, 25 completed long passes and 11 shots on target.

Among the 40 players eligible for Young Player of the Year, Midence finished first in assists, goal contributions, chances created, successful crosses and dribbles completed.

The La Ceiba, Honduras native moved to Laurel, Md. when he was 15. Before signing his first professional contract with Central Valley earlier this season, Midence spent time in the D.C. United Academy and later with amateur sides Club Atlético Los Toros of the APL and Club Deportivo Laurel of the UPSL. Midence is the first first-year professional to win a USL League One Golden Award since North Texas teammates Ronaldo Damus and Arturo Rodríguez claimed the Golden Boot and Golden Playmaker award, respectively, in 2019.

Midence received 45% of the ballot to earn the award. The Charlotte Independence's 21-year-old, 2024 USL League One All-League First Team midfielder Luis Álvarez finished second on 35% with four goals and two assists, while the Richmond Kickers' 18-year-old homegrown talent, Griffin Garnett, finished third on 20% with 74 clearances, 53 duels won and 49 recoveries. In total, three players received votes.

The 2024 USL League One Awards were voted on by each team's technical staff and executives and only account for 2024 USL League One regular season play.

USL LEAGUE ONE Young Player OF THE YEAR

2024 - Alfredo Midence, Central Valley Fuego FC

2023 - Jackson Khoury, South Georgia Tormenta FC

2022 – Ethan Bryant, Richmond Kickers

2021 – Noah Allen, Fort Lauderdale CF

2020 – Chris Brady, Forward Madison FC

2019 – Arturo Rodríguez, North Texas SC

2024 USL League One Awards

Goalkeeper of the Year: Sean Lewis, One Knoxville SC

Defender of the Year: Bruno Rendón, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Young Player of the Year: Alfredo Midence, Central Valley Fuego FC

Coach of the Year: Friday, Nov. 15

Player of the Year: Saturday, Nov. 16