Bruno Henrique named Major Arena Soccer League 2 MVP for 2023-24

TAMPA, Florida -- Bruno Henrique of the M2 champion Iowa Demon Hawks, who scored the second-most points in a regular season and most points overall in a season including the playoffs, has been named league Most Valuable Player for the 2023-24 season.

Henrique, who has also appeared in 23 games in the Major Arena Soccer League with the Florida Tropics, had 26 goals and 24 assists for the Demon Hawks  this year for 50 points, two off the all-time mark held by Jamie Rodriguez of the New Mexico Runners set in the 2018-19 season. 

"Bruno is as passionate about the indoor game as he is talented," M2 Commissioner Chris Economides said. "And the fact he has almost the same number of goals as assists speaks to his both his unselfish nature and understanding about the indoor game. He is more than worthy to be our MVP this season."

Henrique has in two years appeared in 23 M2 games as well with 47 goals and 36 assists in those seasons. He added six goals and two assists for Iowa in the playoffs.

Tropics coach Clay Roberts, who also coached Henrique at Southeastern University in Lakeland, said the Brazilian combines a number of important traits to bring him his success.

"Bruno is exactly the kind of high-energy, high skills player that every team covets," Roberts noted. "His dedication, work ethic and talent are the perfect combination. And it's those traits, that can make him even more dangerous and an even better player going forward."

This past season, Henrique had  nine multi-goal games, including recording a hat trick in each of the his last three games prior to the postseason. The league record for points in a season is held by Jamie Rodriguez of the New Mexico Runners to had 41 goals and 9 assists for 52 points in 2018-19.. 

"It usually takes a player two or three times as many games as Bruno has played before he really begins to emerge," Roberts added. "Bruno has taken to the game so quickly because of his mindset and willingness to work and be a great teammate. He listens, learns and executes on the floor at an exceptional rate."

In the MASL, he has 14 goals and 12 assists. He was on his way to a big 2021-22 season with 20 points in 10 games for the Tropics before his season came to an end with a serious knee injury.