Hiebert led the league in minutes played with 2,156 in the regular season
In his first year of professional soccer, St Louis CITY2 defender Kyle Hiebert has been selected to the MLS NEXT Pro’s Best XI. Hiebert has started in all of CITY2’s 24 matches in the regular season, helping the team to a first-place finish in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference and a Frontier Division Championship.
“We are very proud that Kyle is representing St. Louis CITY SC in the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI,” said St Louis CITY SC Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel. “He fully deserves the award not just because of his on-field performances but also how he leads the team in the locker room. Kyle’s journey is proof that players from the college level can step into the professional ranks and be very successful.”
St Louis CITY2’s success during the regular season has been nothing short of a full team effort but Hiebert has been one of the centerpieces in John Hackworth’s team, consistently contributing to a defense that allowed the least shots on goal (84) in the league. Offensively, Hiebert chipped in with three goals while helping the team to seven clean sheets on the defensive end.
“I am extremely proud of Kyle, who I think is very deserving of this achievement,” said St Louis CITY2 Head Coach John Hackworth. “His individual recognition is reflection of how well we have done as a team this season.”
A two-time MAC Hermann Trophy award finalist with Missouri State University, Hiebert recorded his first professional goal, which was the game-winner, against Salt Lake City on June 25 at Ralph Korte Stadium. In the final regular season match against Sporting KC II, he scored CITY2’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw, earning the crucial point that propelled CITY2 into first place. Earlier in the season, the Manitoba, Canada native signed an MLS contract, rewarding his outstanding performances for CITY2.
“It’s a massive honor to have been recognized by the league,” said St Louis CITY2 Defender Kyle Hiebert. “I have been the beneficiary of getting to play alongside my fantastic teammates who have supported me all season long. I am blessed to be able to go to work every day with high-quality players and people both on and off the pitch.”
Hiebert and CITY2 will be back in action this Sunday to host North Texas SC in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference Semifinals at Ralph Korte Stadium (6:30 p.m. CT, mlsnextpro.com).
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