Gonzaga University winger Michael Divano took home FC Olympia's 2026 USL League Two MVP award after scoring seven goals for the Artesians this summer, the club announced Wednesday, July 29.
Divano, in his second season wearing an FC Olympia jersey, also earned a nomination for the USL Two "Play of the Year" for a Panenka penalty kick against Midlakes United in the club's final home match on June 20. With the score knotted 1-1 in the 85th minute, Divano stepped to the spot and chipped the goalkeeper to give Olympia a 2-1 lead. He added a stoppage-time goal to seal a 3-1 win at Well 80 Pitch at the Regional Athletic Complex.
The club called it the season's signature moment.
Divano showed that audacious finishing touch early in the season, too. In a May 25 win over West Seattle Junction, he scored FC Olympia's first goal of the year by chipping the keeper on a breakaway.
Three other players earned season-end honors, presented by Shelton-based Taylor Shellfish Farms:
- Attacking Player of the Year: Dash Stein, an attacking midfielder from Gonzaga, finished with two goals and four assists.
- Defensive Player of the Year: Max Palmer, a center back from Utah Valley University, played every available minute across 13 matches and 1,170 minutes.
- Most Inspirational Player: Connor Louden, a central midfielder from Pacific University. The award honors former captain Austin Kelley, known as "AK," who helped build the club's early identity.
Head coach Luke Sandblom's squad competed in USL League Two's Northwest Division, where Ballard FC claimed the division title for a fifth time.
"Most importantly the boys worked extremely hard for each other," Sandblom said in late May after the club's first win of the season, a tone that carried through the summer.
FC Olympia also announced its EPLWA Men's Team Awards: MVP Kenta Yumoto, Defensive MVP Evan Faulkner, Attacking MVP Brandon Clough, Inspirational Award winner Preston Soeum, and Play of the Year to Dylan Lang for a late goal that secured a win against eventual league champions Yakima.
With the 2026 season wrapped, FC Olympia has not yet announced plans for 2027.
