USL News Release
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League has announced its 2010 All-League Team, highlighting the top 11 players out of the nearly 2,000 who have participated for the league’s 67 teams this season. The 2010 PDL All-League Team was selected through a vote of team management.
Four of the players selected will put their skills on display this weekend at the 2010 PDL Championship in Portland, Oregon. Leading the way are midfielder Freddie Braun and forward Brent Richards, who helped the Portland Timbers U23s to the first 16-0-0 regular season since 1998. Defender Matthew Hedges helped Reading United AC capture the Mid Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference titles, while Baton Rouge Capitals defender Joe Tait tallied six goals from the backline for the Southern Conference champions.
Joining Hedges and Tait on defense are Mark Lee of the Kitsap Pumas and Alexis Pradie of the Ottawa Fury, who both saw their seasons come to an end at the conference finals.
The only team other than Portland to place multiple representatives on the 2010 team is the Ironbound Express, who finished second in the Mid Atlantic Division and bowed out in the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Ottawa. Goalkeeper Ryan Meara was nearly unbeatable for Ironbound, finishing with eight shutouts in 12 games. Teammate Frank Alesci held the Express midfield together, tallying three goals and two assists for the season.
The only selection to previously have been named to the All-League Team is Michigan Bucks forward Kenny Uzoigwe, who also earned the honor in 2007. Uzoigwe struck for 13 goals as the Bucks captured the Great Lakes Division title. Joining Uzoigwe up front is another dangerous finisher, Moses Aduny of the Mississippi Brilla. Aduny tallied 10 goals in 13 games to lead the Brilla to an undefeated regular season and Southeast Division title.
Rounding out the midfield is Scott Rojo of the Carolina Dynamo. The only player from a non-playoff team to be named to the squad, Rojo appeared in all 16 games for the Dynamo, tallying three goals and finishing tied for third in league assists with eight.
2010 PDL All-League Team
GK – Ryan Meara, Ironbound Express
D – Joe Tait, Baton Rouge Capitals
D – Mark Lee, Kitsap Pumas
D – Matthew Hedges, Reading United AC
D – Alexis Pradie, Ottawa Fury
MF – Scott Rojo, Carolina Dynamo
MF – Frank Alesci, Ironbound Express
MF – Freddie Braun, Portland Timbers U23s
F – Kenny Uzoigwe, Michigan Bucks
F – Brent Richards, Portland Timbers U23s
F – Moses Aduny, Mississippi Brilla
