USL News Release
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced the second set of honors for the 2009 Premier Development League season, releasing the All-League Team and Goalkeeper of the Year honors as well as the finalists for the U-19 Player of the Year, Defender of the Year, Coach of the Year and MVP awards as voted on by the league’s coaches and general managers.
PDL 2009 All-League Team
Goalkeeper of the Year – James Maurer (Chicago Fire)
After a moderately successful 6-3-0 PDL debut last year in Atlanta, Maurer made the move to the Fire and helped guide the club to a second place finish in the Great Lakes Division at 10-1-5. He posted a 10-1-3 record with seven shutouts on the year, finishing tied for third in the league in wins and second in clean sheets. His goals against average was also second in the league at 0.642 as he helped guide the club to a season with just 12 goals allowed in 16 games. That total was tied for the second lowest total in the league.
Defender – Christian Ibeagha (Cary Clarets)
Ibeagha joined the Clarets after spending the 2008 season with Bradenton. He helped lead Cary to a third-place finish in the Mid Atlantic with a record of 9-4-3. The squad gave up just 16 goals on the season with Ibeagha seeing action in 13 games, leading a back line that protected a goal that saw four different netminders throughout the course of the season.
Defender – Bonivenger Misiko (Fort Wayne Fever)
It is not often a defender from a club in the lower end of the table makes an honors list, but Misiko stood out for the 5-9-2 club. He played in all 16 games for the Fever, contributing two goals at the other end, in his fourth season with the club.
Defender – Daniel Scott (Seattle Wolves)
In his third season in the league, he helped lead the Wolves to the playoffs in their PDL debut with a 10-3-3 record that was good for third in the Northwest Division. Scott saw action in 13 matches for the Wolves.
Defender – Chris Williams (New Orleans Jesters)
An unbeaten season is a difficult feat in the PDL, even if it includes twice as many draws as victories at 5-0-11. Williams was a key figure in the team’s success as the Jesters finished the year with just 13 goals allowed. He finished tied for the team lead in minutes played with 1350 over the course of 15 matches on the year.
Midfielder – Will Beague (Ottawa Fury)
Beague was the lone player to receive All-League honors again in 2009 after receiving the award last year in his second season with Ottawa. He helped guide the club to an unbeaten season (12-0-4) that was just one point shy of the regular season title. Beague patrolled a midfield that finished second in the league in goals scored (48) and first in goals allowed (8). He saw action in 15 games, tallying 10 goals and six assists to finish seventh in points, tied for 10th in goals and tied for fourth in assists in the league tables.
Midfielder – Dave Hertel (Michigan Bucks)
After three quiet seasons for West Michigan and a fourth season with the Bucks last year, Hertel broke out as an offensive threat in 2009, tallying eight goals and two assists while playing in all 16 games this season for Michigan.
Midfielder – Armando Ochoa (Hollywood United Hitmen)
After a brief taste of the PDL with Bakersfield two years ago, Ochoa had a triumphant return in 2009 with Hollywood, guiding the club to a 10-3-3 record and first place in the division. He put in four goals and three assists in 14 games for the Hitmen.
Forward – Tom Oatley (Kalamazoo Outrage)
After two standout seasons with West Michigan in 2006 and 2007, Oatley’s numbers dropped off in his first campaign with the Outrage last year, but returned to form with 14 goals and four assists in 15 games, ranking third in the league in points and tied for third in goals. Kalamazoo claimed the regular season Great Lakes Division title with an 11-2-3 record.
Forward – Debola Ogunseye (Mississippi Brilla)
His debut PDL season left quite an impression as he helped lead Mississippi to a 9-1-6 record for the Mid South Division regular season title. He tallied nearly half of the team’s 30 goals with 14 on the year, along with two assists to finish fourth in the league in points. He also tied for third in goals.
Forward – Aaron Wheeler (Reading Rage)
Wheeler’s selection was no surprise as he led the league in goals (17) and points (37) on the year. He helped the Rage claim the league’s regular season title with a 13-1-2 record. He also provided three assists as Reading finished atop the league in scoring with 58 goals, 10 more than any other squad.
PDL 2009 Individual Honors
In addition to the previously announced statistical award winners and the Goalkeeper of the Year, four other top individual honors are still to be announced. The winners of the awards will be announced Thursday, August 6 from the following finalists in each category:
Defender of the Year Finalists: The four All-League selections Ibeagha, Misiko, Scott and Williams are the finalists for the honor.
U19 Player of the Year Finalists: The finalists for the award are Christian Ibeagha (Cary), Sheanon Williams (Carolina) and Max Toulette (Fort Wayne).
Coach of the Year Finalists: The finalists for the award are Dan Fisher (Long Island), Casey Mann (Des Moines), Mark Spooner (Kalamazoo) and Brent Whitfield (Los Angeles).
Most Valuable Player Finalists: The finalists for the award are Tom Oatley (Kalamazoo), Debola Ogunseye (Mississippi) and Aaron Wheeler (Reading).
