Benji All-American Second Team!
Date Posted: 2/6/2019
Date Posted: 12/6/2018
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland standout forward Benji Michel was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-American Second Team, it was announced on Thursday night. Michel led the Pilots this season with 11 goals to earn his first All-American recognition.
Michel opened the year by scoring a goal in six straight games, and he was named Top Drawer Soccer's National Player of the Week on Oct. 1. He ranks third nationally with seven game-winners, and he also had two assists for a total of 24 points. Michel scored the only goal during Portland's 1-0 win over UCLA in the NCAA First Round.
Earlier this week Michel was named to the All-West Region First Team, and he landed on the All-West Coast Conference First Team in November.
Michel is the first Pilot to be named an All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, which was previously known as the NSCAA, since Nate Jaqua in 2002.
"I knew when I recruited Benji he had a lot of potential we could mold and develop in our system," Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt said. "Benji also grew and matured and took many steps forward off the field as a leader this year. He didn't arrive with many accolades and no rankings, but he always brought a strong desire to compete and perform. Benji had his best season as a Pilot and scored critical goals that helped fuel the team success all season long. He deserves this All-American as one of the best and most dynamic attacking players in all of college soccer."