2005-06 MISL All-Rookie Team Announced
Published on May 19, 2006 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2) News Release
WESTPORT, Conn. (Friday, May 19, 2006) - The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced the six members of its 2005-06 MISL All-Rookie Team on Friday following a formal voting process that polled members of the media, as well as MISL coaches and team personnel. Included in the annual list of six were three members of the California Cougars, two players from the Chicago Storm, and one representing the Philadelphia KiXX. Voters were asked to select three forward/midfielders, two defenders, and one goalkeeper for this team.
California placed forward Vicente Figueroa, midfielder Ronnie Ekelund, and goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek on the All-Rookie Team, as the first-year club rallied to win nine of its final 13 games and complete its inaugural season with a record of 10-20. MISL Championship Series Semifinalist Chicago, placed forward Gus Kartes and defender Denny Clanton. Philadelphia, which recently completed its 10th season in the League, was represented by defender Josh Rife.
"I'm really proud of our guys," California Cougars head coach Troy Dayak said. "It was our first season and these were guys that after tryouts and our combine, I knew could have a big impact. I look forward to having them as a part of this organization and in the MISL again this upcoming season. A lot of guys on our team could have made this list. I'm glad we were well represented on the MISL All-Rookie Team."
Nicknamed "El Tigre," Figueroa is a native of San Jose, Calif., who finished sixth in the MISL and led the Cougars in goals in his first professional indoor season. He also finished second on the California club with 30 points. Ekelund, who like Figueroa had formerly played Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as with a number of international clubs, was the only member of the 2005-06 All-Rookie class to be selected to play in the 2006 MISL All-Star Game. A midfielder for much of the season, Ekelund sustained a hamstring injury in the midst of the season and completed his first year in the MISL with 11 goals and nine assists in playing 22 of 30 games. Jakubek, a native of Lodi, Calif. was the only MISL rookie to earn Player of the Month honors, following a March in which he went 5-0 in goal for California. He finished the season with a 5-2 record (10 games, seven starts), and team-leading figures in both goals against average (5.66), and save percentage (71.0).
Kartes, another MLS and international soccer veteran qualified as a MISL rookie, having played fewer than 10 regular season North American professional indoor soccer games. In his first full season with Chicago the forward/midfielder chipped in three game-winning goals for the Chicago Storm. Kartes finished second on the team in goals (17), fifth in assists. Defender Denny Clanton also enjoyed his first full season with Chicago, helping lead the team to its first-ever postseason berth (one goal, four assists, 15 blocks).
Philadelphia defender Josh Rife proved a durable, stay-at-home defender for the KiXX, scoring six goals and adding an assist and 14 blocks in his first professional indoor soccer season.
A complete schedule of MISL postseason award announcements is available at www.misl.net.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from May 19, 2006
- Three California Cougars Named To MISL All-Rookie Team - California Cougars
- Vicente Figueroa Named 2005-06 MISL Rookie of the Year - MISL 2
- 2005-06 MISL All-Rookie Team Announced - MISL 2
- California Cougars Vicente Figueroa Named MISL Rookie of the Year - California Cougars
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