Gjertsen, Jordan, Lilley nominated for 2005 USL First Division Awards
Published on September 20, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
The Vancouver Whitecaps are pleased to announce that Jason Jordan, Joey Gjertsen and Bob Lilley have been nominated as finalists for the 2005 United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division awards. Whitecaps forward Jason Jordan is among the three finalists for the Most Valuable Player, rookie Joey Gjertsen is in the running for Rookie of the Year and head coach Bob Lilley is up for Coach of the Year.
Jordan, 27, finished the regular season as the league's leading scorer with an impressive 17 goals and three assists. This is the fourth straight year and fifth time overall the native of Richmond, B.C. has led Vancouver in scoring. Jordan, a veteran of nine years, is Vancouver's third all-time leading goal scorer with 74 goals in 205 games. Montreal's Mauro Biello and Rochesterâs Kirk Wilson have also been nominated for league MVP.
Gjertsen, 23, joined the Whitecaps last spring after completing his college career at Evergreen State College. The native of Tacoma, WA played in all but one game for the Whitecaps, notching three goals and three assists on the season. His nine points tied him for third on the squad behind league scoring and goal-scoring champion Jason Jordan and first team all-leaguer Steve Klein. Seattleâs CJ Klaas, Charleston's Ben Hollingsworth and Puerto Rico's Dan Kennedy are also up for Rookie of the Year.
In his first year with the Whitecaps head coach Bob Lilley led the Caps to a 12-7-9 record and the third seed in the USL First Division playoffs. A two-time USL First Division Coach of the Year, Lilley won the award in 1999 while heading up the Hershey Wildcats and again in 2003 at the helm of the Montreal Impact. He has amassed a .640 winning percentage throughout his eight year head coaching career. Montreal's Nick DeSantis and Minnesota's Buzz Lagos have also been nominated as Coach of the Year.
The award winners will be announced at the media banquet on Friday, September 30 during the USL First Division Championship weekend.
Vancouver Whitecaps 2006 season ticket packages are now available for purchase. For more information call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit whitecapsfc.com.
USL First Division Stories from September 20, 2005
- Timbers' Thompson a finalist for Defender of the Year Honor - Portland Timbers
- Gjertsen, Jordan, Lilley nominated for 2005 USL First Division Awards - Vancouver Whitecaps
- 2005 USL First Division Awards Finalists announced - USL-1
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
