[USL-1] Defenders Cristian Arrieta (Puerto Rico) and David Hayes (Portland) are the only repeat selections on the USL First Division all-league first team. Rochester striker Johnny Menyongar earned all-league honors for the sixth time in his career, but it was his first first-team selection. For all the USL-1 first- and second-team selections …
USL-1 FIRST TEAM
Goalkeeper-Steve Cronin (Portland Timbers)
The former Los Angeles Galaxy netminder had an excellent first season in Portland, finishing third with 0.68 goals-against average.
Defender – Nelson Akwari (Charleston Battery)
Akwari played in all 30 games for the Battery on the year, finishing with the fourth most minutes played in the league.
Defender – Cristian Arrieta (Puerto Rico Islanders)
The 2008 Defender of the Year tallied 10 goals, tied for fourth, and had five assists, tied for seventh.
Defender – Matt Bobo (Charleston Battery)
Joined the club from Atlanta, where he was an All-League Second Team selection in 2006.
Defender – David Hayes (Portland Timbers)
Earned his third consecutive All-League honor after coming over from Atlanta.
Midfielder – Daniel Paladini (Carolina RailHawks)
The former Chivas USA player registered five goals and four assists in 28 games.
Midfielder – Ryan Pore (Portland Timbers)
The newcomer from the Kansas City Wizards tallied 10 goals and two assists.
Midfielder – Ricardo Sanchez (Minnesota Thunder, Mexico)
Sanchez helped keep Minnesota in the playoff hunt until late in the season, finishing fifth in the league with 22 points.
Forward – Charles Gbeke (Vancouver Whitecaps, Ivory Coast)
Tied for second in points (25) with Cristian Arrieta but won the goalscoring championship with 12 goals.
Forward – Mandjou Keita (Portland Timbers, Guinea)
Won the USL-1 scoring championship with 29 points (nine goals and 11 goals).
Forward – Johnny Menyongar (Rochester Rhinos, Liberia)
Became just the sixth player in league history to earn all-league honors six times.
SECOND TEAM
Goalkeeper
Bill Gaudette (Puerto Rico Islanders)
Defenders
Stephen deRoux (Montreal Impact)
Cameron Knowles (Portland Timbers)
John Krause (Puerto Rico Islanders)
Mark Schulte (Carolina RailHawks)
Midfielders
Martin Nash (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada)
Lawrence Olum (Minnesota Thunder, Kenya)
Jonathan Steele (Puerto Rico Islanders, Northern Ireland)
David Testo (Montreal Impact)
Forwards
Marlon James (Vancouver Whitecaps, St. Vincent & Grenadines)
Eddie Johnson (Austin Aztex, England)