Minnesota United Midfielder Miguel Ibarra Honored With North American Soccer League's Golden Ball Award Minnesota United Midfielder Miguel Ibarra Honored With North American Soccer League's Golden Ball Award

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Friday, November 14th, 2014) -- The North American Soccer League announced today that Minnesota United midfielder Miguel Ibarra has won the Golden Ball Award. The award is given to the most valuable player in the League and is selected by coaches, media, and fans. Ibarra scored nine goals and provided five assists for United in 2014.



"It's an honor to win the Golden Ball Award," said Ibarra. "This award isn't just for me, I think our whole team deserves this award. We had an amazing run and an amazing year. To me, Minnesota United won the Golden Ball. Again, I wouldn't have done it without them and the organization and to all my supporters and most importantly my family that has always supported me."

Ibarra has been nothing short of spectacular for Minnesota this season. He has emerged as one of the top players in the League in his third year with the team, creating opportunities not only for himself, but his teammates. Ibarra’s ability to dribble past defenders and open up space has been a crucial part of Minnesota’s offensive success in 2014.



While his playmaking has been great, Ibarra is most known for his speed. His pace allows him to beat defenders to the ball and get around them before they even know what happened. His second goal against the San Antonio Scorpions on September 20th is the perfect showcase of his pace on and off the ball. Ibarra split two defenders to reach the ball, followed by the midfielder dribbling around the goalkeeper to have a wide-open shot on goal to give United a 2-0 lead.



Plays like these have earned Ibarra several accolades from the NASL this year including seven appearances on the Team of the Week, two Player of the Week awards, and being named the Player of the Month for September, as well as being named to the 2014 Best XI for the second year in a row.



"This has been an unforgettable year for me," Ibarra added. "It has all become a dream come true, all I ever dreamed of since I was a kid. Hard work, dedication and faith was what did it for me. Thank you again to everyone for this award it's an honor."



Recognition of Ibarra’s ability extends outside of the NASL. Ibarra has been called up to the U.S. National Team twice this year, making his debut for the team against Honduras on October 14th. He is currently training with the U.S. team for their upcoming friendly matches against Colombia and Ireland.



Ibarra signed with Minnesota in 2012 after playing his college soccer with UC-Irvine where he won the Big West Co-Offensive Player of the Year award and was named to the All Big West First Team. Ibarra’s partnership with forward Christian Ramirez on the field has helped both players excel in their positions and lead Minnesota to the winning Spring Championship and Woosnam Cup this season.



Ibarra becomes the fourth NASL Golden Ball winner in the League’s modern era, joining Etienne Barbara (Carolina RailHawks - 2011), Pablo Campos (San Antonio Scorpions - 2012) and Georgi Hristov (Tampa Bay Rowdies - 2013).



About Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC plays in the 10-team North American Soccer League (NASL), which also includes the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, San Antonio Scorpions, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Ottawa Fury FC, Indy Eleven and the New York Cosmos. Find out more about Minnesota United at MNUnitedFC.com, Facebook.com/MNUnitedFC, and on Twitter @MNUnitedFC.

The North American Soccer League announced today that Minnesota United midfielder Miguel Ibarra has won the Golden Ball Award. The award is given to the most valuable player in the League and is selected by coaches, media, and fans. Ibarra scored nine goals and provided five assists for United in 2014."It's an honor to win the Golden Ball Award," said Ibarra. "This award isn't just for me, I think our whole team deserves this award. We had an amazing run and an amazing year. To me, Minnesota United won the Golden Ball. Again, I wouldn't have done it without them and the organization and to all my supporters and most importantly my family that has always supported me."

