USL Press Release
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 TAMPA – United Soccer Leagues announced today the Premier Development League Team of the Week for the 14th Week of USL competition highlighting Tacoma Tide forward Spencer Schomaker for his three goal, two assist performance against the Yakima Reds on Saturday, July 19.
Schomaker’s eight-point night finalized three things in the Northwest Division. First, the Tide were headed back to the Conference Semifinals for the second straight season, second, the Yakima Reds were knocked out of the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, and third, the Vancouver Whitecaps would not win the Northwest Division in their first season. Based on goal differential, a.k.a. Schomaker’s efforts, the Tide stole the Northwest Division title from the Whitecaps by a three-goal margin.
An hour and five minutes later, on the East Coast, Newark Ironbound Express forward Chris Karcz also lit up the night with an eight-point evening. The 6-2 win over Westchester carried less playoff implications than Tacoma’s but not by much. Newark was immune to Westchester’s threat in the Northeast standings by two points, but the Long Island Rough Riders had an outside shot of catching Newark, and that got much tighter the following day when the Rough Riders downed Northern Virginia 4-2 to move to 28 points on the season. The bottom line was Newark needed a win to clinch and Karcz all but assured it. The win moved Ironbound’s point total to 30. They will face the Reading Rage on Friday, July 25.
A defender and multiple Team of the Week representative, Graham Munro netted a goal and defended well throughout Cape Cod’s 3-0 shutout win over the Vermont Voltage to lead the Crusaders to the postseason. They earn the only playoff bid in the New England Division over the Ottawa Fury by one point and play the Brooklyn Knights this weekend.
A third forward with an above average contribution to a division championship side was Jason Leopoldo of the San Fernando Valley Quakes. Leopoldo’s week began on Thursday, July 17 when he netted a goal and added an assist in a 3-2 win over the Ventura County Fusion. Two days later Leopoldo had a second strong showing by assisting both goals in a 2-1 decision that decided the first and second place teams in the Southwest Division. Leopoldo and the Quakes having secured the top spot by one point, will face the Vancouver Whitecaps in California on Saturday, July 26. The Fuego must travel to the Pacific Northwest to battle Player of the Week, Spencer Schomaker, and the red hot Tacoma Tide.
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Week 14
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PDL Team of the Week
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Pos
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Name
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Team
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Highlights
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GK
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Steve Clark
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Michigan
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7 Saves, 1 SO in 2-0-0 week for Bucks. Clinched 1st round bye
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D
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Graham Munro
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Cape Cod
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1G, SO in 3-0 win over Vermont to clinch New England division
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D
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Kenan Powell
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Ogden
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2G in 5-2 win over Abbotsford. SO win over Vancouver
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D
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Tomasz Groch
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Brooklyn
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1G in 3-2 win over Fredericksburg
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M
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Fabricio Codeceira
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Fresno
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1G, 3A in 5-2 win over Southern California
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M
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Tripp Harkins
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Mississippi
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2G in 6-2 win over Houston. 1A in 3-1 win over Baton Rouge
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M
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Isaac Morales
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Laredo
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1G in 3-1 win over El Paso. 2A in 4-0 win over New Orleans
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M
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Stephen Hogan
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Reading
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1G, 1A in 3-0 win over Virginia Legacy
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F
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Chris Karcz
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Newark
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3G, 2A in 6-2 win over Westchester to clinch Wild Card berth
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F
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Jason Leopoldo
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San Fernando
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1G, 1A in 3-2 win over Ventura. 2A in 2-1 win over Fresno
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F
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Spencer Schomaker
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Tacoma
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3G, 2A in 6-2 win over Yakima to clinch playoff berth/division
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Honorable Mentions
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F
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Kyle Christensen
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Ogden
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3A in 5-2 win over Abbotsford. GWG in 1-0 win over Vancouver
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F
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Zak Boggs
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Bradenton
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1G in 2-1 win over Panama City. 1G in 2-1 win over Central Florida
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M
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Austin Williams
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Kansas City
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1G, 1A in 2-1 win over Colorado
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