USL-2 All-League Teams Announced
Published on August 16, 2007 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced the Goalkeeper of the Year honor and the All-League Teams for the 2007 USL Second Division season, honoring 22 of the league's top players for their performances as voted on by club general managers and coaches.
USL Second Division All-League First Team
Goalkeeper of the Year - Ronnie Pascale (Richmond Kickers)
Although he finished third in the GAA Championship race behind Harriburg's Matt Nelson (0.611) and the honoree Hunter Gilstrap (0.500) of the Cleveland City Stars with an average of 0.684, Pascale was voted the top netminder in the league for the season. Pascale did lead the league in wins with 12 on the season, two ahead of Nelson and Charlotte's Daniel Benton, and was second in shutouts with nine, one behind Nelson. Pascale was also Goalkeeper of the Year in 2006 when it was a statistical honor prior to the introduction of the GAA Championship.
Defender - Nelson Akwari (Charlotte Eagles)
Akwari was a leader for the Eagles, finishing as one of four players in the league to play every minute. The former US youth international spent the last five seasons in Major League Soccer, playing 78 regular season games for Real Salt Lake (2005-06), Columbus Crew (2003-04) and New York Red Bulls (2002).
Defender - Mark Schulte (Cleveland City Stars)
In addition to finishing the season as one of four players in the league to play every minute of the season, Schulte tallied two goals and four assists while leading the expansion club to the fourth one-loss season in the history of the league. The USL veteran returned after a stint abroad in Iceland, where he played for IBV. He last played in the US for the Columbus Crew in 2005, seeing action in 19 games. Previously, he spent four years with the Minnesota Thunder (2000-03), logging 93 regular season games, after playing one season in the PDL in 1999 with the Twin Cities Tornado.
Defender - Jay Willis (Western Mass Pioneers)
In his fourth year with the club, Willis has become a staple in the roster, playing 18 games this season and scoring twice. He now has three career goals in 68 regular season games with the club.
Midfielder - Mike Burke (Richmond Kickers)
The USL-2 Assist Leader with nine on the year, Burke assumed the role of captain upon the mid-season retirement of veteran defender Kevin Knight, finishing the regular season tied for scoring on the team with three goals and nine assists for 15 points. In his eighth season with the Kickers, Burke eclipsed the all-time career assists leaders to hold the sole position in the franchise with 38 assists overall. He continues to reside in third place on the Kickers all-time career points list with 90 (26g, 38a). Burke was a USL-2 First Team honoree and USL-2 Most Valuable Player Finalist en route to the 2006 USL-2 Championship.
Midfielder - Mathew Mbuta (Crystal Palace Baltimore)
An unknown in North America, Mbuta joined the club from Malaysia, where he was known as the Black Pearl. He was a key component of the club's midfield throughout the season, playing in 16 games and finishing with five goals and seven assists, which ranked second in the league behind Burke.
Midfielder - Adam Moffat (Cleveland City Stars)
From the midfield, Moffat led the team in scoring in their first season with eight goals and two assists in 19 games. He joined the club from Scottish Third Division side Elgin City and previously played for Ross County.
Midfielder - Matt Watson (Richmond Kickers)
In his second pro season, Watson finished tied for the team lead in goals with 2006 USL-2 MVP Robert Ssejjemba and Ricky Schramm with six. He also tallied three assists in his 17 games played. As a rookie, he was the only Kicker to appear in every match during the 2006 season, becoming a regular starter early in the season and making 24 overall appearances, starting 21. Leading the team to the USL-2 regular season title and Championship, Watson finished fourth on the team with four goals and four assists during the regular season.
Forward - Stephen Astwood (Bermuda Hogges)
Although the striker only tallied four goals and an assist on the season for the first-year Hogges, Astwood left a lasting impression on his opponents to receive All-League honors. He led the team in scoring, finishing with one more goal than former Manchester City star Shaun Goater for the season.
Forward - Gary Brooks (Crystal Palace Baltimore)
A veteran of the USL First Division, Brooks joined the club midseason and was the driving force behind the club's surge from near the bottom of the table to fifth place. He finished the season with seven goals and two assists in nine games as the team went on a 6-2-1 run with him up top. Brooks previously played for the Virginia Beach Mariners (2002-03) and the Atlanta Silverbacks (2004-05) in USL-1, logging 13 goals and 13 assists in 79 regular season games. He also played four games last season with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Forward - Jacob Coggins (Charlotte Eagles)
After leading the league in points and goals in 2004 and 2005, Coggins saw his numbers drop off last year due to a season-limiting injury, scoring just four goals in 14 games. He made an impressive return in 2007, however, to earn the Scoring and Goal Scoring Championship honors for the third time in four years, finishing the season with 12 goals and 31 points. Coggins became the first player in the 14-year history of the league to earn the scoring honors three times. Luis Orrellana (1998, 1999) and Julio-Cesar Dos Santos (2000, 2002) were the only other players to win the awards twice.
USL Second Division All-League Second Team
G Matt Nelson Harrisburg City Islanders
D James Greenslit New Hampshire Phantoms
D Shintaro Harada Crystal Palace Baltimore
D Michael Lookingland Harrisburg City Islanders
D Ashleigh Townsend Cincinnati Kings
M Maciel Everson Western Mass
M Mo Oduor Harrisburg City Islanders
M Brian Ombiji Harrisburg City Islanders
M Steve Shak Charlotte Eagles
F Nigel Codrington Cleveland City Stars
F Robert Ssejjemba Richmond Kickers
The Defender of the Year and the Finalists for Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors will be announced Monday, August 20. The winners of the final three honors will be announced at the USL Second Division Championship banquet.
USL Second Division Semifinals
The USL Second Division playoffs begin this week with Semifinals Saturday. The regular season champion Richmond Kickers play host to the Charlotte Eagles in a rematch of the 2006 final. The Harrisburg City Islanders will visit the first-year Cleveland City Stars. Both games begin at 7:00 pm ET.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 16, 2007
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