SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, October 24, 2018) - Real Salt Lake today announced the team’s annual award winners for 2018, which were based on voting by RSL players. MF Damir Kreilach was voted the club’s Most Valuable Player and also earned the Golden Boot in his first season with the club. DF Brooks Lennon was voted Defensive Player of the Year in his first season as a right back, while MF Kyle Beckerman earned Jordan Guernsey Humanitarian of the Year honors.
MF Damir Kreilach: RSL Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot Award
Damir Kreilach came to Real Salt Lake in preseason and made a quick impact. The versatile Croatian played in many different roles up the middle of the field for RSL and found ways to contribute from each position. He finished the regular season with 33 appearances, 31 of them as a starter, and led the team with 12 goals to go with eight assists in his first MLS season. The 29-year-old scored in three consecutive matches in wins over the Colorado Rapids and the LA Galaxy before a draw with Minnesota United. That stretch included a hat trick against the Galaxy – the first for RSL since 2014.
Kreilach is the ninth different RSL player to earn the club’s MVP honors, the ninth different player to earn the Golden Boot and the fifth to win both in the same season.
DF Brooks Lennon: RSL Defensive Player of the Year
In his second full season in MLS, Lennon made the shift from the wing to right back and made steady progress throughout the season. The Real Salt Lake Academy product started in 32 of his 33 appearances – all but one of those starts coming as a defender. He finished the season second on the team with 46 tackles and third with 43 interceptions, but also showed his offensive instincts with 39 chances created and 34 dribbles completed. His five assists rank fourth in MLS among defenders.
Lennon is the ninth different player to win Defensive Player of the Year honors for RSL.
MF Kyle Beckerman: Jordan Guernsey Humanitarian of the Year
As announced last week, Kyle Beckerman was named the 2018 Jordan Guernsey Humanitarian of the Year for his wide-ranging and extensive work in the community. The son of two teachers, education has been a bright spot for his engagement. He started Beckerman’s Book Club at Ensign Elementary School, assigning them a book to read over the summer and leading a class discussion in the fall. He also promoted health and fitness in the community with the goal of making soccer accessible by hosting the launch of futsal courts in Salt Lake City. His additional efforts included hosting Make-A-Wish meet-and-greets before games and another meet-and-greet for juvenile offenders, providing motivation and inspiration.
In 2015, the club announced that the Humanitarian of the Year Award would be named in honor of one of Real Salt Lake’s biggest fans, the late Jordan Guernsey, whose passion for work in the community embodied the spirit of the award.
Real Salt Lake All-Time Season-Ending Award Recipients
RSL Most Valuable Player: Damir Kreilach (2018), Albert Rusnák (2017), Kyle Beckerman (2016), Javier Morales (2015), Joao Plata (2014), Kyle Beckerman (2013), Kyle Beckerman (2012), Kyle Beckerman (2011), Javier Morales (2010), Nat Borchers (2009), Javier Morales (2008), Nick Rimando (2007), Jeff Cunningham (2006), Andy Williams (2005)
RSL Golden Boot Award: Damir Kreilach (2018), Albert Rusnák (2017), Joao Plata (2016), Javier Morales (2015), Joao Plata (2014), Álvaro Saborío (2013), Álvaro Saborío (2012), Álvaro Saborío (2011), Álvaro Saborío (2010), Robbie Findley (2009), Yura Movsisyan (2008), Robbie Findley (2007), Jeff Cunningham (2006), Jason Kreis (2005)
RSL Defensive Player of the Year: Brooks Lennon (2018), Justen Glad (2017), Justen Glad (2016), Aaron Maund (2015), Chris Schuler (2014), Nick Rimando (2013), Nick Rimando (2012), Nat Borchers (2011), Nat Borchers (2010), Jamison Olave (2009), Nat Borchers (2008), Eddie Pope (2007), Carey Talley (2006), Eddie Pope (2005)
Jordan Guernsey Humanitarian of the Year: Kyle Beckerman (2018), Justin Schmidt (2017), Jordan Allen and Justen Glad (2016), Abdoulie Mansally (2015), Abdoulie Mansally (2014), Chris Wingert (2013), Will Johnson (2012), Jean Alexandre (2011), Jean Alexandre (2010), Robbie Russell (2009), Nat Borchers (2008), Carey Talley (2007), Seth Trembly (2006), Brian Kamler (2005)
