Phoenix Rising forward and captain Solomon Asante was named as 2019 USL Championship MVP, the league announced on Thursday.

“Solomon Asante is one of the finest players I have ever worked with as a coach,” Rising manager Rick Schantz said in a press release.

“Solo is a leader who cares so much about his team. He was so willing to do whatever the team needed and it’s evident in his assists and goals scored. We knew from the very beginning that opponents were focused on stopping Solo and yet he was still able to have an MVP season. As much as I hate to admit it, Solo belongs in a higher league, but I will enjoy every minute I get with him.”

The captain also won the Golden Boot thanks to his 22 goals on the 2019 campaign, just three short of the USL single-season record.