Charleston Battery forward Nick Markanich and defender Graham Smith have been named finalists for the 2024 USL Championship Awards, the league announced Thursday. Markanich is up for Player of the Year and Smith for Defender of the Year.
The slate of nominations comes after both players garnered All-League First Team honors for their stellar regular season campaigns.
“Nick and Graham have had incredible seasons and are very deserving to be honored as top candidates for Player and Defender of the Year,” said Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “They have been available for every match this season and have performed incredibly well. Our group understands that as we succeed as a team, individuals will earn honors for their performances throughout the season.”
Starting every match of 2024, Smith anchored one of the best defenses in the league, ranking second in the Championship with 152 clearances and 113 aerial duels won at a success rate of 75.8%, and third in the league with 1,804 passes completed.
The center-back also recorded two goals, one assist, 28 blocks (team-high), 28 interceptions and 159 total duels won. Smith amassed 2,957 minutes played, the most on the team.
Smith is a finalist alongside Jack Gurr of Sacramento Republic FC and Matt Mahoney of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
Markanich rewrote the history books this year, winning the Golden Boot with 28 goals in the regular season, which set a new single-season Championship and club record, along with five assists. Markanich ended the regular season as the top goalscorer in America across all domestic leagues.
He also made an impact defensively, ranking ninth in the league with 188 duels won (team-high) and 37 tackles won and winning possession 35 times in the attacking third, the most in the league.
Markanich additionally earned numerous league-wide accolades throughout the year: 10-time Team of the Week selection, five-time Player of the Week honoree and two-time Player of the Month winner.
Markanich is competing with finalists Taylor Davila of Louisville City FC and Jorge Hernández of San Antonio FC for the honor.
Should either player win their awards, they would be notable honors in the club’s history. The Battery haven’t had a player win Defender of the Year since Colin Falvey in 2013 and haven’t had a Player of the Year/MVP winner since Lamar Neagle in 2010.
The Battery’s focus is currently on the Eastern Conference Final against Rhode Island FC on Sat., Nov. 16, at Patriots Point. Tickets for the match are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, the club’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
Winners will be announced the week of November 18, with USL Championship Defender of the Year on November 20 and USL Championship Player of the Year on November 23.
The 2024 USL Championship Awards are voted on by club management and a league-wide media panel that includes representation from every USL market.
