TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced on Tuesday the nominees for the 2024 USL Championship Comeback Player of the Year award presented by Tiger Balm, recognizing four nominees who made a substantial impact for their respective sides after overcoming injury or adversity during the previous season.

The four nominees were selected by the USL Technical Panel after nominations by clubs conducted after the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs.

The 2024 USL Championship Comeback Player of the Year award presented by Tiger Balm will be decided by a fan vote, with the poll set to run through Monday, December 16 at 12 p.m. ET.

2024 USL Championship Comeback Player of the Year Nominees

Leo Fernandes, Tampa Bay Rowdies – The 2022 Championship Player of the Year had a long road to recovery after suffering a torn Achilles’ Tendon in preseason in 2023 but returned to his best as he reached full fitness in the final stages of the 2024 campaign. Fernandes recorded three goals and four assists to help the Rowdies secure a postseason berth despite the challenges the side faced due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, averaging a goal contribution every 98.3 minutes, to help the Rowdies reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the USL Championship Playoffs.

Zach Herivaux, Rhode Island FC – After making only nine appearances in a season-and-a-half due to injuries, the Haiti international found a new lease of life after a midseason transfer to Rhode Island FC. Herivaux set career highs with four goals and three assists in 19 appearances – almost doubling his career goal total in the process – as he became an essential piece during Rhode Island’s Eastern Conference title run in its inaugural season.

Aodhan Quinn, Indy Eleven – The veteran midfielder suffered a torn ACL in September 2023, and after multiple surgeries made his return to action 11 months to the day later in August. His return to Indy’s lineup provided a boost to the Boys in Blue as they secured a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2019 as Quinn individually recorded one goal, one assist and 17 chances created in 12 appearances.

Zach Zandi, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – After seeing his 2023 season cut short after only three appearances for the Switchbacks, Zandi returned and became one of the key figures in the club’s run to its first USL Championship title. The Pennsylvania native set career highs in appearances (36) and goal contributions (10) while recording six goals and four assists across the regular season and playoffs.