Riverhounds' Arturo Ordonez named USL Championship's defender of the year

Arturo Ordonez anchored the best back line in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference this season, and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defender was honored Tuesday for his efforts.

Ordonez, 26, was named the 2023 USL Championship defender of the year.

The Spain native ranked second in the league with 106 aerial duels won at a success rate of 75.7% and also made 239 recoveries, also second in the league.

He also scored five goals, including the insurance marker in a 2-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies that clinched the Players’ Shield.

“I’m really, really happy to get an award like this in a league with the amount of talent and good players that are in the USL Championship,” Ordonez said. “I also want to thank all my teammates. They were all so important and made my job easier, and I want to thank the Riverhounds’ coaches for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play.”

While playing at Pitt, Ordonez was twice voted to the ACC All-League Team and the ACC All-Tournament Team. He turned pro with the Hounds before the 2022 season.

Over the past two seasons, he has recorded 66 appearances — second only to fellow 2023 All-League selection Kenardo Forbes for the Hounds — and leads the club with 262 clearances, 354 duels won overall, and 216 aerial duels won. His 5,647 minutes played were the most by a Hounds player in their first two pro seasons.

Ordoñez received 45% of the ballot to earn the award. Sacramento Republic FC’s Jack Gurr was second and teammate Conor Donovan finished third.

The 2023 USL Championship Awards were voted on by club management and a league-wide media panel.