TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced on Tuesday that LA Galaxy II midfielder Efrain Alvarez has been voted the 2018 USL Young Player of the Year. In his first full professional season, the 16-year-old Alvarez set records within the league while recording double-digit goals for Los Dos’ stylish attack.

Alvarez received 40 percent of the vote to receive the award, with Hassan Ndam of the New York Red Bulls II finishing second on eight percent and both ATL UTD 2’s Andrew Carleton and the Swope Park Rangers’ Wan Kuzain finishing tied for third on six percent. In total, 22 different players earned votes in the ballot.

The 2018 USL Awards were voted on by team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market. Voting was conducted following the conclusion of the 2018 USL regular season.

Alvarez made his professional debut for the Galaxy II on October 7, 2017 at the age of 15 years, 3 months and 18 days, becoming the youngest player in the league’s history. This season he proceeded to become the youngest player to record a hat trick when he struck three times against Saint Louis FC on May 9, and then repeated the feat on September 22 against Real Monarchs SLC to be one of only two players in the 2018 regular season to record a pair of hat tricks.

“I am honored to be named USL’s Young Player of the Year,” said Alvarez. “I am very grateful for the coaches and teammates that have helped me get to this point in my career. I’m looking forward to an even better season next year.”