MISL names players of the week
Published on January 15, 2007 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2) News Release
MISL GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK
Sanaldo, Detroit Ignition
Sanaldo improved both his individual and his Detroit Ignition's respective winning streaks to four games apiece in leading the second-place Major Indoor Soccer League club to a pair of wins against the Milwaukee Wave over the weekend. In what is developing into a truly breakthrough season for the 28-year-old goalkeeper from Feiras De Santana, Brazil, Sanaldo was again instrumental in gaining additional victories for the expansion Ignition, a club that is now 9-6 in its inaugural season and trailis only the Philadelphia KiXX (8-4) in the MISL standings. A fourth-year MISL veteran, Sanaldo was named the MISL Goalkeeper of the Month in November, and now earns the MISL Weekly accolade for the second consecutive week and third time this season (Jan. 15, Jan. 8, Nov. 13). In stopping 20 of 23 shots on goal in Friday's 14-6 victory over Milwaukee at Detroit's Compuware Sports Arena, Sanaldo was able to limit the Wave - the MISL's top-scoring team - to less than half of its usual points production, in yielding just three, two-point goals. On Sunday, Sanaldo and the Detroit Ignition defense withstood a late Wave comeback to prevail in overtime, 17-14, giving the Ignition its first ever victory in Milwaukee and at U.S. Cellular Arena. A 2003-04 MISL All-Rookie Team choice, Sanaldo completed the weekend with 35 saves moved up a spot to now stand second only to Baltimore's Sagu in save percentage (71.9) among regular League goalkeepers. The 6-foot, 160-pound goalkeeper, known for his acrobatic capabilities since entering the MISL with the Kansas City Comets was acquired by the Ignition on June 20, 2006 as the first overall selection in the 2006 MISL Detroit Ignition Expansion Draft.
MISL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Genoni Martinez, Philadelphia KiXX
Genoni Martinez is no stranger to MISL honors. With his eight-point performance in Philadelphia's 16-8 defeat of Baltimore before more than 6,000 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum, the three-time MISL Defender of the Year secured his first MISL Player of the Week accolade of season and 10th of his illustrious League career. Scoring two three-point goals and assisting on another pair, Martinez remained true to his offensive talents as the KiXX pounced on Baltimore early for a 12-2 lead. Martinez, alongside fellow defenders and All-Star goalkeeper Peter Pappas, were then able to play even with the rival Baltimore Blast, the MISL Champions in three of the past four seasons in the KiXX' only game of the weekend. At 8-4, Martinez and the KiXX retain first-place standing in the Major Indoor Soccer League. Martinez, a Mexico City native, opened Sunday's scoring with an unassisted three-point goal from the left side nearly four minutes into the action, for his third-three point goal of the season. In the third quarter, he received a pass from KiXX defender Drew Kopp and buried another three-pointer to increase their lead over their longtime East Coast rival. Two assists, the first to forward/head coach Don D'Ambra on a power play, and the second, a picture-perfect, one-two with midfielder/forward Dino Delevski, set up by Martinez' left foot off the restart closed the scoring for Martinez on the night. Despite playing in only eight games, Martinez ranks third on the KiXX in points, leading all team defenders in points (23), three-point goals (four) and assists (seven). Martinez is a six-time All-League selection and one of four players in League history to be named Defender of the Year on three occasions.
MISL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Greg Howes, Milwaukee Wave
Greg Howes was one of a number of MISL stars responsible for spectacular offensive showings over the past week of MISL action, and it is Howes, a four-time All-MISL forward, that receives his 14th career MISL Player of the Week honor after leading all forwards with eight points over the weekend. The two-time MISL Most Valuable Player and reigning three-time scoring champion propelled himself into second-place in the PUMA Scoring Champions race, where he now trails only Detroit's Jamar Beasley. Highlighted by a two-goal, two-assist performance against Detroit in Sunday's 16-14 overtime loss at Milwaukee's U.S. Cellular Arena, the 29-year-old native of Tacoma, Wash., now stands with 16 goals and 10 assists in 14 games. More specifically, Howes has three, three-point goals, 13 two-point goals, and six blocks. Additionally, he leads the MISL in first goals (three), and restart goals (seven). The MISL Player of the Week honor is the second of the season for Howes (Dec. 4). Howes joined the League and the Wave during the 2000-01 season following a collegiate career at Oregon State. He was named to the season's MISL All-Rookie Team and finished second in the voting for MISL Rookie of the Year. Howes, who is also a leading member on the U.S. National Futsal Team, is an accomplished outdoor player (Seattle, Portland, Wave United, Rochester), and has established himself among the MISL's elite in earning the MISL MVP following the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 15, 2007
- MISL names players of the week - MISL 2
- KiXX Weekly - Philadelphia KiXX
- Genoni Martinez Named MISL's Defender-of-the-Week - Philadelphia KiXX
- Ignition weekly - Detroit Ignition
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