COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Midfielder Yosuke Hanya has been named the MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month for April, the league announced today. The second-year Rapids 2 player has been a mainstay of the team’s attack in its first two seasons, currently the club’s all-time leading goal scorer (9) and all-time assists leader (5).
“Yosuke was a big player for us last year and he has continued on that path,” said Erik Bushey, Rapids 2 head coach. “If I could have Yosuke on my team, whether in years past or years to come, I would take him in a heartbeat. You are talking about a player who is thoughtful in how he plays, technically gifted and is blue collar. He will work as long as the day is. He has the stats to back up all the great things he does for this team that might not get noticed otherwise. He is and will continue to be a big player for us.”
Hanya has been a standout so far in the 2023 season, having scored in all five matches he has appeared in for Rapids 2. The Japanese international leads the team in goals with five and has also added two assists, tying him with Blake Malone and Oliver Larraz for most assists on the team this year.
In his first season with the club, Hanya started in 22 matches, leading Rapids 2 in both games started and minutes. He put up four goals and three assists in the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season, earning him the title of the first-ever Rapids 2 Player of the Year.
