USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO honored the top performers from the 2012 regular season today, naming the All-League First and Second Teams as chosen through a vote of team management.
The Charleston Battery and Wilmington Hammerheads, who will meet Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium for the 2012 USL PRO Championship, each have two players selected for the All-League teams. Charleston placed a pair of players on the first team, with midfielder Nicki Paterson, USL PRO’s goal-scoring runner-up, and forward Jose Cuevas, who finished tied for fifth in points, earning the honors.
The Hammerheads are represented by forward Corey Hertzog, who finished second in league scoring despite playing only 17 games, on the first team. Midfielder Bryce Taylor, who tallied five goals and three assists, was selected for the second team.
Regular-season champions Orlando City lead all teams with seven players selected to the All-League teams, with the Rochester Rhinos and Los Angeles Blues next in line with three selections and two selections, respectively. The Antigua Barracuda, Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Richmond Kickers each had one player honored.
The finalists for Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be announced on Wednesday, September 5, with the awards being presented at the USL PRO Championship Media Luncheon on Friday, September 7 in Charleston.
The USL PRO Championship Game will see the No. 3-seed Charleston Battery host the No. 5-seed Wilmington Hammerheads at Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Hammerheads defeated defending champion and No. 1-seed Orlando City 4-3 to advance, while the Battery upended the No. 2-seed Rochester Rhinos in penalty kicks to earn the right to host.
For live updates from the USL PRO Championship Game, follow the league on Twitter (@USLPRO) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/USLPRO).
2012 USL PRO All-League First Team
GK – Kristian Nicht, Rochester Rhinos
D – Josh Rife, Charlotte Eagles
D – Troy Roberts, Rochester Rhinos
D – Rob Valentino, Orlando City
D – William Yomby, Richmond Kickers
MF – J.C. Banks, Rochester Rhinos
MF – Kevin Molino, Orlando City
MF – Nicki Paterson, Charleston Battery
F – Dennis Chin, Orlando City
F – Jose Cuevas, Charleston Battery
F – Corey Hertzog, Wilmington Hammerheads
2012 USL PRO All-League Second Team
GK – Miguel Gallardo, Orlando City
D – Kieron Bernard, Orlando City
D – Erlys Garcia, Los Angeles Blues
D – Quentin Griffith, Antigua Barracuda
D – Jerome Mechack, Orlando City
MF – Joel DeLass, Dayton Dutch Lions
MF – Matt Kassel, Pittsburgh Riverhounds
MF – Bryce Taylor, Wilmington Hammerheads
F – Bright Dike, Los Angeles Blues
F – Matt Luzunaris, Orlando City
F – Lucky Mkosana, Harrisburg City Islanders
USL PRO Championship Game
No. 5 Wilmington Hammerheads at No. 3 Charleston Battery, 7:30 p.m. ET, USLNation.com