Tampa, FL – (Friday, September 2, 2011) – United Soccer Leagues recently announced the 2011 USL PRO All-League First Team, naming Richmond Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte and defender William Yomby as top performers from the regular season, as voted by team management.
Honored for the third consecutive season, Delicâte tied for second in the USL PRO scoring charts, notching his tenth goal of the season against Wilmington on August 10. Adding three goals during the Kickers historic U.S. Open Cup run to the Semifinals, for a total of 20 points on the season, Delicâte now resides in second place on the Kickers all-time goals scored list with 60 overall. A Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, the English forward earned USL PRO Player of the Week honors on April 12 after posting one of five game-winning goals on the season.
Meanwhile, three-time USL All-League First Team honoree, Yomby led the Kickers defensive unit to 12 shutouts on the season, while allowing the league’s second-best 21 goals. Also contributing to the attack, he registered two goals during the regular season and added a third with the Kickers lone goal in the 2-1 U.S. Open Cup Semifinal loss to the Chicago Fire on August 30. Playing every minute of every game, Yomby earned USL PRO Team of the Week honors on five occasions and was a 2011 USL PRO Defender of the Year Finalist.
USL PRO Coach of the Year Finalist, Leigh Cowlishaw has amassed a record of 193-95-68 over 12 seasons at the helm with the Richmond Kickers. Leading the Kickers to seven Championship appearances over the past 10 seasons, his side has upset Major League Soccer teams on five occasions in the U.S. Open Cup, making history in 2011 with a pair of victories on the road over Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City this season. A native of Burton-on-Trent, England, the USL Hall of Fame member has been an integral member of the Kickers’ organization since the club’s inception in 1993. As a player, he helped the Kickers win the “Double” with the US Open Cup and Premier League Championships in 1995. Off the pitch, he acts as the Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer, providing technical direction and guidance for all levels of the Kickers organization and serving on the board of the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club.
2011 USL PRO All-League First Team
GK – Miguel Gallardo, Orlando City
D – Nelson Akwari, Los Angeles Blues
D – Gareth Evans, Wilmington Hammerheads
D – Rob Valentino, Orlando City
D – William Yomby, Richmond Kickers
MF – Yordany Alvarez, Orlando City
MF – Jorge Herrera, Charlotte Eagles
MF – Luke Mulholland, Wilmington Hammerheads
F – Jhonny Arteaga, F.C. New York
F – Matt Delicâte, Richmond Kickers
2011 USL PRO All-League Second Team
GK – Neal Kitson, Rochester Rhinos
D – George Dublin, Antigua Barracuda
D – Colin Falvey, Charleston Battery
D – Kyle Hoffer, F.C. New York
D – Troy Roberts, Rochester Rhinos
MF – Lewis Neal, Orlando City
MF – Lawson Robinson, Antigua Barracuda
MF – Jamie Watson, Orlando City
F – Jose Angulo, Harrisburg City Islanders
F – Maxwell Griffin, Orlando City
F – George Davis IV, Dayton Dutch Lions
F – Jason Yeisley, Pittsburgh Riverhounds
USL PRO Awards Winner
Most Valuable Player – Yordany Alvarez, Orlando City
Rookie of the Year – Luke Mullholland, Wilmington Hammerheads
Coach of the Year – Adrian Heath, Orlando City
Defender of the Year – Rob Valentino, Orlando City
Goalkeeper of the Year – Miguel Gallardo, Orlando City
