TAMPA - United Soccer Leagues announced today the Team of the Week for the 12th week of action in the Premier Development League. West Texas United’s Dominic Furness was named Player of the Week for his goal and two assist performance in the Sockers’ 3-1 win over Rio Grande Valley on Sunday night. The victory sends United to the playoffs in their rookie PDL campaign.
"Dominic’s performance against Rio Grande was fantastic," said Sockers general manager Monty Hoppel. "We’re looking forward to the our first playoff appearance on Wednesday night."
The Reading Rage clinched the 2009 Regular Season Championship behind six goals and one assist from James Taranto in victories over Northern Virginia (4-0, July 15) Virginia (8-0, July 17) and Fredericksburg (3-1, July 19).
"Jimmy’s pressure and pace allowed the Rage to open things up offensively in all three matches," said Rage general manager Art Auchenbach. "His presence helped open up space for teammate Aaron Wheeler."
Thunder Bay’s Nolan Intermoia scored four goals over two matches in midfield, helping the 2008 PDL Champion Chill back to the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Intermoia scored a hat trick in the Chill’s 3-0 win over Rochester on Wednesday night before scoring in the 32nd minute of their 1-1 draw with the same club the next night.
"Nolan is a great all around player chipping in four goals while controlling the middle of the park for us against Rochester," said Chill head coach Tony Collistro.
In the Mid South, Laredo goalkeeper Ryan Cooper came up big in the Heat’s 1-0 win over West Texas on July 17. The victory gives Laredo their third division title in six years.
"Ryan made two crucial saves late to preserve our victory and earn the divisional title," said Heat general managers J. J. Vela. "We’ll look to him to keep up his form heading into the playoffs."
Pos
Name
Team
Highlights
GK
Ryan Cooper
Laredo
SO, 4 saves in 1-0 win vs. WTU to clinch division
D
Raul Rivera
Fresno
2A in 3-1 upset of Hollywood United
D
Dan Belke
Brooklyn
GWG in 3-1 win vs. OceanCity
D
Tom Milroy
Cascade
Strong defensive performance in 1-1 D with Yakima
M
Pedro Pereira
Austin
GTG from a free kick in 1-1 D vs. El Paso
M
Dave Hertel
Michigan
3G in 5-2 win vs. Toronto
M
Nolan Intermoia
Thunder Bay
4G in 1-0-1 week for Thunder Bay
M
Dominic Furness
West Texas
1G, 1A in 3-1 win vs. Rio GrandeValley
M
Eddie Floyd
Hampton Roads
2G, controlled in midfield in 2-1 win vs. Virginia
F
James Taranto
Reading
6G, 1A in 3-0-0 week for Reading
F
Greg Howes
Tacoma
5G in 1-1-0 week for Cascade
Reserves
M
Will Beague
Ottawa
2G in 2-0 win vs. Brooklyn
F
Ben Callon
New Orleans
GW PK sends NO to playoffs in 2-1 win vs. Panama City
