Photo by ISIphotos.com
The second day of USSF D2 awards saw Ryan Pore walk away the big winner, as the league's leading goal-scorer was also named the Second Division MVP on Thursday.
Pore carried most of Portland's offense throughout the 2010 season, and was also named a member of the D2 Best XI.
Rounding out the individual awards was the Vancouver Whitecaps' Jay Nolly, named the Best Goalkeeper in D2. Nolly anchored the league's best defense, appearing in all 30 games for Vancouver. The former D.C. United netminder also anchored the best XI.
Several players with MLS experience dot the league's Best XI. Including Nolly, there was Greg Janicki and Aaron Pitchkolan in defense, joining Jamie Watson (previously of Real Salt Lake) and Toronto FC castoff Ali Gerba on the list.
Here's a look at the USSF D2 Best XI:
Goalkeeper: Jay Nolly, (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Defenders: Greg Janicki (Vancouver Whitecaps), Aaron Pitchkolan (Rochester Rhinos), Troy Roberts (Rochester Rhinos)
Midfielders: Ryan Pore (Portland Timbers), Martin Nash (Vancouver Whitecaps), Jamie Watson (Austin Aztex), Paulo Araujo, Jr. (Miami FC), Daniel Paladini (Carolina RailHawks)
Forwards: Eddie Johnson (Austin Aztex), Ali Gerba (Montreal Impact)
Ali Gerba scored 9 goals in 12 games after rejoining MontrealÂ
in the 2nd half of the season and was THE offensive player ofÂ
the league from that moment on. Had he played a full season,
I dont see how he wouldnt have been MVP.Â
Matt Jordan once again is irregular in nets but its all or nothing with him.
Interesting that eight of the 11 are former MLS players. Of the remaining three, Araujo is now with Salt Lake and Johnson has signed with Portland (along with Pore).
Only Nash has never been in MLS, though I suspect he’ll be part of Vancouver’s roster next year.