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USL First Division All-Star Team Announced

June 30, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced the coaches and players for the USL First Division All-Star Game set for July 19 in Cary, North Carolina versus English Coca Cola Championship League side Sheffield Wednesday. The game will be carried live on Fox Soccer Channel at 8:00 pm ET.

The coaches for the team are Montreal's Nick DeSantis, who will serve as head coach, and Rochester's Laurie Calloway. The pair finished first and second for the 2005 Coach of the Year honors, respectively.

Leading the list of players is former World Cup MVP Romario, who currently ranks second in the league in goals with nine on the campaign. The Brazilian legend will be joined by fellow 1994 World Cup teammate Zinho and Guatemalan international Mario Rodriguez.

Three All-League selections from last season also highlight the roster with two-time Defender of the year Gabriel Gervais of the Montreal Impact joined on the back line by the Portland Timbers' Scot Thompson. Both were on the All-League First Team in 2005. Second Team selection Petter Villegas will represent Puerto Rico.

Gervais will be joined by Impact teammates Mauricio Vincello and Villegas will be accompanied by Mauricio Segovia from the Islanders.

League-leading goalkeepers in shutouts Scott Vallow (8) of Rochester and Matt Nelson (6) of Virginia Beach will backstop the team with current three-time Goalkeeper of the Year Greg Sutton out due to injury.

The 18-player squad for the USL First Division All-Star Game, which will featured kits provided by official USL sponsor UMBRO, was selected by United Soccer Leagues in consultation with DeSantis and Calloway.

"With the opponent in the All-Star game being an established club side, we wanted to ensure that not only were the fan favorites represented, but also players who would make the team complete from a competitive standpoint, which is often not the case with All-Star games," said USL Director of Pro League Operations Steven Thompson. "I think we struck a great balance in selecting stars from across the league and have built a team that will be very good coming together with brief preparation for the match."

Players from Seattle and Vancouver were unavailable for selection to due scheduled friendlies with their club.

USL First Division All-Star Game Roster

G Nelson, Matt Virginia Beach Mariners

G Vallow, Scott Rochester Raging Rhinos

D Branan, Dustin Minnesota Thunder

D Gervais, Gabriel Montreal Impact

D Sanfilippo, Frank Rochester Raging Rhinos

D Thompson, Scot Portland Timbers

D Vincello, Mauricio Montreal Impact

D/M Segovia, Mauricio Puerto Rico Islanders

M Ball, John Rochester Raging Rhinos

M Daley, Omar Charleston Battery

M Dodds, Jamie Toronto Lynx

M Shak, Steve Virginia Beach Mariners

M Zinho Miami FC

M/F Villegas, Petter Puerto Rico Islanders

F McLaughlin, Jason Atlanta Silverbacks

F Rodriguez, Mario Miami FC

F Romario Miami FC

F Simmonds, Greg Virginia Beach Mariners

Roster subject to change



USL First Division Stories from June 30, 2006


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.


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