Flint, Mich. — The Flint City Bucks have recognized defender Hugo Bacharach as the recipient of the 2022 Paul R. Scicluna Total Soccer Player of the Year Award. Teammates and coaches vote on the annual award, which recognizes the player who most exemplifies the Bucks’ winning mentality both on and off the field.

Head coach, Andy Wagstaff commented, “Hugo is one of the most talented young men I have ever had the pleasure and honor of coaching. He has an extremely charismatic personality off the pitch yet he’s a fierce competitor on it. We are thrilled that Hugo has received this recognition and excited to see his career develop.”

Bacharach was vital in helping the Bucks reach this year’s USL League Two postseason — their 24th playoff appearance in 27 seasons. The 6-foot-4 center back started 10 regular-season matches, in which Flint City went 7-1-2 and held opposing teams to just five goals. A constant aerial threat and dominant advancer of the ball, Bacharach also scored the winning penalty in the Central Conference final shootout against Des Moines Menace.

The Scicluna Award is the highest honor that can be earned by a Bucks player. It’s named for Michigan soccer pioneer Paul Scicluna, who in the 1970s created the Livonia Wolves youth club that evolved into the storied Michigan Wolves and Michigan Hawks. A friend and mentor to Dan and Jim Duggan, Scicluna also helped create the Bucks in 1995.

Bacharach stated, “Being a Flint City Buck this summer has been an unforgettable experience. I’m so grateful for all the people I met in Flint, not only my teammates who I now consider my family, but every single staff member of the team. I also want to thank all the fans, supporters and River Rats who came out to the stadium to support the team every game. They made me feel at home every match. Flint will always be in my heart.”

Past award winners have included several Bucks Hall of Famers. Nearly every winner has gone on to play professional soccer or to become an elite level college coach.

Bacharach is now a junior at Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ), where he has already been named to the Northeast Conference first team for two consecutive seasons.

A native of Benicàssim, Spain, he was a fixture in the back line of CD Castellón up to the U-19 level. In that final stage, he helped his team to the top of the Spanish youth national league. In one stretch, Castellón lost only six of 26 matches while allowing 26 goals.

Bacharach also spent 10 years in the youth academy at Villarreal, considered one of the top clubs in Spain for both first-team accolades and youth development.

To keep up with the Flint City Bucks, please visit the team website at www.flintcitybucks.com. Additionally, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.