Welcome to September, or as it’s known around here, the final quarter of the season. The pressure is rising to earn results and a place in the playoffs, and there’s potential history to be chased both at the league level for the likes of Louisville City FC, or for clubs like Las Vegas Lights FC and Rhode Island FC as they pursue their first postseason berths.

On top of that, there’s also the pursuit of individual success in the shape of the USL Championship Awards and All-League selections. Here’s where we think the picture stands on the five major awards this campaign as players look to close out their campaigns on a high note.

Want to chime in? Let us know who you’d take or your write-ins in each category on our social media polls.

Goalkeeper of the Year – Danny Vitiello, Sacramento Republic FC 

The race for Goalkeeper of the Year is looking like one of the tightest to call as of this moment. Danny Vitiello has the edge over Pittsburgh’s Eric Dick in Shutouts (11), Saves (54) and Save Percentage (77.1%), while Dick has the edge in goals-against average (0.75) and Goals Prevented (minus-6.48). On top of that there’s FC Tulsa’s Johan Peñaranda, who has come on strong in the second half of the season with six shutouts, a save percentage of 79.7% and a Goals Prevented mark of -6.41 in just 12 appearances. Peñaranda needs 450 minutes over Tulsa’s final 10 games to become eligible for the Golden Glove and could make this a three-horse race when it’s all said and done.

Also in contention: Eric Dick, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC; Johan Peñaranda, FC Tulsa; Rocco Ríos Novo, Phoenix Rising FC

Defender of the Year – Leland Archer, Charleston Battery

There’s a great debate to be had within the Battery’s locker room as to who should be the club’s own frontrunner for Defender of the Year, with the club having posted one of the best defensive records in the league. On raw numbers, the nod would probably go to Graham Smith. The incoming veteran ranks second in the Championship among defenders in Clearances (120), has a duel success rate of 71.1 percent and tackle success rate of 78.3 percent while also recording 24 interceptions and 79 recoveries. But Archer has other numbers in his favor, led by his league-best Goals Added mark of +6.38 among center backs and full backs per American Soccer Analysis. The Battery’s longest-tenured player also has better distribution numbers in both volume and accuracy, which narrowly gets him the nod for now.

Also in contention: Graham Smith, Charleston Battery; Frank Nodarse, Rhode Island FC; Junior Etou, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Coach of the Year – Danny Cruz, Louisville City FC

Louisville City FC entered the season as favorite to finish top of the Eastern Conference, so there’s no surprise they’re in line for the club’s first Players’ Shield with nine games to play, but the manner in which Danny Cruz’s side has gone about it has been breathtaking. LouCity is in position to shatter the single-season records for home wins and goals and has a chance to raise the bar on the league’s single-season records for total wins, goals scored and total points. It’s a remarkable feat that has come from a full team focus instilled in the side by Cruz and his staff.

Also in contention: Eric Quill, New Mexico United; Ben Pirmann, Charleston Battery; Dennis Sanchez, Las Vegas Lights FC

Young Player of the Year – Rocco Ríos Novo, Phoenix Rising FC

It’s probably a little odd to think that after winning the USL Championship Final MVP award last November, Rocco Ríos Novo is still eligible to claim the Young Player of the Year award, but the 22-year-old Argentine has continued to be spectacular this season and maybe the most important figure in Rising’s playoff drive. Ríos Novo ranks second in the league with 80 saves, has a save percentage of 76 percent, a Goals-Against Average of 1.04, and a Goals Prevented mark of -3.7. While there are good outfield contenders for the award, here’s another award for Ríos Novo’s trophy case.

Also in contention: Ray Serrano, Louisville City FC; Mamadou Dieng, Hartford Athletic; Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Birmingham Legion FC

Player of the Year – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery

Just as it has been throughout the season, this is the race that as of now is the easiest to call. Markanich’s 24 goals and five assists put him double-digit goal contributions ahead of the rest of the field as he’s formed one of the great attacking tandems in the Championship’s history with MD Myers. The only question for the 24-year-old ahead of his offseason move to LaLiga 2 club CD Castellon is how high he might set the bar for the Championship’s single-season scoring record.

Also in contention: Wilson Harris, Louisville City FC; Manuel Arteaga, Tampa Bay Rowdies; Ronaldo Damus, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC