USL News Release
Friday, August 10, 2007
LAREDO, TX – United Soccer Leagues announced Friday at the PDL Championship Banquet in Laredo that Fresno Fuego striker Pablo Campos was named the Premier Development League MVP for the 2007 season as voted on by the teams.
Campos became the first-ever player from a Western Conference team to earn the honor in since west-coast based teams joined the league in 1992. The Brazilian striker won the Scoring and Goal Scoring Championships while leading the team to their first-ever Southwest Division Championship and eventually the league semifinals before bowing out to the Laredo Heat 1-0.
Campos, who likes to celebrate his goals by impersonating various animals had plenty of opportunities to pretend to be a goose or other exotic creatures throughout the season, winning the Scoring (points) and Goal Scoring Championship with 39 points and 18 goals.
Campos, who joined the Fuego from Oklahoma Baptist University, where he finished 17th in the NAIA in points in 2005 as a junior, started the season with a seven-game goal scoring streak from the team’s second game, netting 11 over the span, and secured the honors with five in the final two games of the year.
The PDL MVP Runners-Up
Kenny Uzoigwe (Michigan Bucks)
The star striker for the defending PDL champion Bucks was a potent force in the first half of the season coming off the bench and continued his fine form as a starter as they neared the postseason, finishing with 33 points on 14 goals and five assists. He ranked tied for third in points and goals.
Andrew Wheeler (Hampton Roads Piranhas)
The Piranhas got most of the attention during their unbeaten regular season campaign for their defense, but at the other end of the pitch, it was Wheeler giving the club the victories with 14 goals and five assists for 33 points while playing in all 16 games. He finished tied for third in goals and points.
2007 PDL Championship
The 2007 Premier Development League Championship, featuring a rematch between the host Laredo Heat and the defending champion Michigan Bucks is Saturday, August 11 at the USID Student Activity Center. Game time is 9:30 pm ET. The match will be shown on delay on Fox Soccer Channel at 11:00 pm ET immediately following the Major League Soccer game.
