USL-2 all-league teams announced
August 16, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Charlotte Sting News Release
TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced Wednesday the All-League Teams for the USL Second Division 2006 season as voted on by the league's coaches and general managers.
Seven different clubs were represented on the All-League First Team, including four from the regular season champion Richmond Kickers. A fifth Kicker was honored on the Second Team. Semifinalists Cincinnati Kings and Charlotte Eagles each had a player on the First Team. Charlotte had an additional three selections on the Second Team while Cincinnati had two. The fourth semifinalist Pittsburgh Riverhounds had two selections on the Second Team.
The USL Second Division semifinals take place Friday through Sunday with the two-leg, aggregate score series. The two series winners advance to the USL Second Division Championship, which will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel, the following week.
All-League First Team Selections
Goalkeeper - Ronnie Pascale (Richmond Kickers)
Pascale took the Goalkeeper of the Year honor with a league-low goals against average of 0.99 for the 2006 season. He also led the USL Second Division this season in wins with a 13-3-3 record. He was second in shutouts with six on the year, two behind Cincinnati's Jordan James. Pascale gave way to backup Steve Ankiel late in three matches in which the club finished with a clean sheet. A member of the Kickers since 2000 and starter since 2002, Pascale has been one of the top netminders in the league, finishing between fifth and seventh in the USL First Division GAA table over the last four years and playing in every game the last two.
Defender - Marc Hubbard (New Hampshire Phantoms)
In his third year in the league and second with the Phantoms, Hubbard saw action in 18 of the team's games this season, recording one assist offensively. He played 13 times last year and saw time in 11 games for Wilmington in 2004.
Defender - Derek Smith (Cincinnati Kings)
In his second year, he helped guide the Kings, also in their second season, to the playoffs for the first time. Smith played in 17 games, contributing three goals and an assist to the side's offensive efforts. Smith was an All-League First Team selection after playing in all 20 games for the expansion side.
Defender - Gary Sullivan (Long Island Rough Riders)
Sullivan returns to the All-League First Team despite the club's finish at the bottom of the table. He saw action in 17 games this season with one goal.
Midfielder - Mike Burke (Richmond Kickers)
In his seventh season with Richmond, Burke finished second in the league in scoring behind teammate Robert Ssejjemba with 23 points on nine goals and five assists. He played in 19 games on the season while helping lead the Kickers to the regular season title.
Midfielder - Sascha Gorres (Richmond Kickers)
The second-year pro proved an important part of the Kickers midfield en route to the regular season title, registering four goals and three assists in 17 games. The lesser-known midfielder also missed one regular season game last year as he helped lead the side to the playoffs and the USL-1 Final, where he scored the Kickers lone goal of the match in a 1-1 draw that saw them fall in penalties.
Midfielder - Everson Maciel (Western Mass Pioneeers)
Maciel returns to the All-League First Team after playing in all 20 games for the Pioneers this season. He was one of nine players in the league to play in every game. Maciel registered three goals and two assists on the campaign.
Midfielder - Dustin Swinehart (Charlotte Eagles)
Swinehart is back on the All-League First Team for the second straight year, his fourth All-League selection in USL-2 play, fifth including a 2001 USL First Division selection. Swinehart led the team in scoring with five goals and four assists in 19 games on the campaign.
Forward - Chris Bagley (Wilmington Hammerheads)
In his fourth year in the league, fifth as a professional in USL, Bagley earned his first All-League honor after finishing tied for second in the league in goals with 10, a third of his team's 30-goal tally for the year. He also had two assists.
Forward - Almir Barbosa (New Hampshire Phantoms)
In his second season, Barbosa finished tied for second in the league in goals with 10 strikes in 19 games, more than a third of his team's 27 goals. Barbosa scored three goals last season in seven appearances with the Phantoms.
Forward - Robert Ssejjemba (Richmond Kickers)
In his second year with the club, he captured the league Goal Scoring Championship with 17, seven more than Wilmington's Chris Bagley and New Hampshire's Almir Barbosa. With four assists, his point total of 38 was 15 clear of teammate Mike Burke for the league Scoring Championship as well.
The finalists for the Rookie of the Year, Defender of the Year, Coach of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors will be announced next Tuesday, August 22 with the winners being announced at the Championship Banquet.
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