Vicente Figueroa Named 2005-06 MISL Rookie of the Year

Published on May 19, 2006 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2) News Release


WESTPORT, Conn. (Friday, May 19, 2006) - The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced Friday that California Cougars forward Vicente Figueroa has been named MISL Rookie of the Year following a formal voting process that polled members of the media, as well as MISL coaches and team personnel.

Figueroa, who finished sixth in the MISL in goals this season (26) and totaled 30 points overall for the first-year California Cougars, received over 60 percent of the first-place votes and nearly twice as many voting points as his closest competitor to gain the honor. Voters were asked to cast votes for first-place (worth five points), second-place (three points), and third-place (one point) for eligible MISL newcomers.

"To receive this award is incredible," Figueroa said Friday. "It totally caught me by surprise. I thought I had a good season, but the purpose was to work hard and win games. This award isn't just for me, but for all of our players, the coaches, and everyone on the staff. There are a lot of very good players in the MISL. To win Rookie of the Year just encourages me to work even harder for next year."

Recent MISL Rookie of the Year honorees have included MISL stars such as Philadelphia's John Barry Nusum (2005), Jamar Beasley (2004, Kansas City, now with St. Louis), Baltimore's P.J. Wakefield (2003) and Baltimore's Billy Nelson (2002).

Figueroa averaged one goal for each of the 26 games in which he played, and was the highest scoring rookie in the MISL this season. Playing second forward, often on a line with midfielder Ricardinho and target Enrique Tovar, Figueroa led the Cougars in goals and finished second to veteran midfielder/forward John Ball in points.

Nicknamed "El Tigre," Figueroa, most notably, had previous outdoor experience with several Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs. However the 5-foot-6, 145-pound forward from San Jose, Calif., was a recruited to the team through tryouts and a player combine conducted by head coach Troy Dayak before the season.

"In preseason camp I knew Vicente had the potential to get the Rookie of the Year," Dayak said. "He's tenacious offensively and defensively. Vicente was one of the local prospects we brought on board. He definitely deserves this award. He's very coachable and is a great teammate."

Also today, the MISL announced the complete 2006 MISL All-Rookie Team, which included Figueroa, his California teammates Ronnie Ekelund and Dominik Jakubek, Chicago's Gus Kartes and Denny Clanton, and Philadelphia's Josh Rife.

A complete schedule of MISL postseason award announcements is available at www.misl.net.

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