HERRIMAN, Utah (Thurs., October 1, 2026) — With the conclusion of the Real Monarchs 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, the Club recognizes several players who defined this season. The annual season-ending awards recognize and celebrate excellence, leadership and growth, both on- and off-the-field.
This year’s honorees include Felix Ewald (Most Valuable Player & Newcomer of the Year), Liam O’Gara (Defensive Player of the Year), Antonio Riquelme (Offensive Player of the Year), Nico Silva (Academy Player of the Year), Max Kerkvliet (Golden Glove) and Lineker Rodrigues (Golden Boot).
2026 Real Monarchs Award Winners:
Most Valuable Player & Newcomer of the Year — Felix Ewald
Position: Midfielder | Appearances: 28 | Minutes: 1876 | Goals: 4 | Assists: 3
Joining Real Monarchs as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia University prior to the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, Ewald made his impact felt from the first minute. The rookie excelled, playing multiple positions throughout the campaign across all three lines, a veritable “Swiss Army Knife” for Head Coach Mark Lowry’s 2026 squad.
Logging the second-most minutes throughout 2026, trailing only Ruben Mesalles (2008), Ewald most notably scored a brace against Tacoma United on Aug. 30, breaking Real Monarchs' four-game losing streak at the time.
Defensive Player of the Year — Liam O’Gara
Position: Defender | Appearances: 21 | Minutes: 1520 | Assists: 2 | Clearances: 17
Taking a leap in his second professional season. Liam O’Gara doubled his production from 2025 to 2026, jumping from 767 minutes to 1520. O’Gara also logged his first professional assists this season, connecting with Wes Charpie in a 4-1 win over Portland Timbers 2 and Omar Marquez for the equalizer at the death in a 2-2 draw at LAFC2.
Splitting time as a defensive midfielder and centerback, O’Gara provided sound technical defense for Real Monarchs throughout the year. Following the conclusion of the Monarchs’season, O’Gara made his RSL debut, subbing on in the 88th minute at Seattle Sounders FC on Sept. 23, becoming all-time RSL player No. 244 in the Club’s 22-year MLS history.
Offensive Player of the Year — Antonio Riquelme
Position: Midfielder | Appearances: 20 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 4 | Key Passes: 37
Tied for the most goal contributions this season with seven, Riquelme regularly showcased his advanced technical ability. Riquelme found the back of the net for his first MLS NEXT Pro goal in his debut, a 5-0 win at Sporting Kansas City II, rifling a shot from the top of the box off the crossbar and into the net.
The Chilean youth international led the squad in assists (4), shots (44), and key passes (37), while finishing two goals shy of the Golden Boot (5) and one shot back from most shots on target (15).
Academy Player of the Year — Nico Silva
Position: Forward | Appearances: 9 | Starts: 4 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 1
Nine Academy call-ups appeared for Real Monarchs this season, but only one opened his professional goalscoring account with the Claret-and-Cobalt, teenager Nico Silva. The 16-year-old winger was also one of two Academy callups to notch an assist, joined by Jack Ottley.
Relied on heavily by Lowry and staff in the second half of the campaign, Silva logged five consecutive appearances to end the year, with four of those appearances seeing him featured in the starting XI.
Golden Glove — Max Kerkvliet
Position: Goalkeeper | Appearances: 20 | Cleansheets: 3 | Saves: 70 | Pass %: 81
Often donning the captain’s armband for this year's Monarchs squad, Kerkvliet logged his best professional season after being drafted in the first round of 2025 MLS SuperDraft out of UCONN following the conclusion of his freshman year.
Kerkvliet led the Monarchs’ goalkeeping unit in appearances, starts and clean sheets. The young MLS-contracted goalkeeper still eyes his first-ever RSL appearance.
Golden Boot Winner — Lineker Rodrigues
Position: Forward | Appearances: 14 | Minutes: 1179 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 2
Building off of a strong finish to the 2025 MLSNP regular-season campaign, where he scored two goals in five games, Rodrigues picked up right where he left off, scoring in the 2026 regular-season opener, a 2-2 (4:3) shootout win over North Texas SC. Racing to four goals in his first four appearances, the Brazilian-born attacker didn't find his fifth goal until the 12th match of the season on June 13 against Portland Timbers 2.
Rodrigues would go on to play his final game with Real Monarchs this season just two matches later, prior to signing an MLS deal with Real Salt Lake and integrating into the first team during the August Leagues Cup. Rodrigues has gone on to play 11 matches across all first-team competitions, logging one goal and one assist.
