Written by Michael Lewis

For the second time in four years, former Long Island Rough Riders goalkeeper Danny Vitiello was awarded the USL Championship Golden Glove as the top keeper in the league.

Vitiello, 27, recorded a 0.83 goals-against average for Sacramento Republic SC while posting 11 clean sheets, which was tied for third in the league. He also finished with a 76.2 save percentage in 30 matches.

A native of Massapequa, N.Y., Vitiello was honored with the same award when he played for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2020.

Sacramento finished atop the Western Conference with an 18-6-10 record and 64 points as the stingiest defensive team in the league, surrendering only 26 goals.

Vitiello was humbled by the honor.

“Any GK award is a team award, and all the credit belongs to my teammates and coaching staff for the hard work put in this season!” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Thank you to the @Sac_Battalion for being with us through it all! Eyes are set on something bigger 💪🏼”

The 6-2, 185-lb. Vitiello made seven appearances for the Rough Riders during the 2018 USL League Two season.

Top-seeded Sacramento hosts New Mexico United in the Western Conference quarterfinals at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10 p.m. ET.