Gomez’s 0.73 goals-against average – which led all players who qualified for the award – was only a shade higher than his mark of 0.69 a season ago. The consistency the 24-year-old brought showed in part through his 70.91 save percentage on 55 shots face, but more in the numbers he put up patrolling his penalty area.

The league-leader in catches with 24, Gomez was as adept at cutting off threats before they began as his defenders – with the likes of Ryan Felix and Joe Farrell also putting in stellar seasons. Gomez recorded 31 clearances, good for fourth in the league, and 20 accurate keeper sweepings, second only to Ottawa Fury FC’s Callum Irving.

So as the Rhinos remained the gold standard for defensive play in the USL’s Eastern Conference this season, Gomez’s role in that success certainly shouldn’t be discounted. It could be the key to another run at a USL Cup in the next four weeks.