2001 A-League
Encyclopedia
History
The addition of the Portland Timbers this season saw the renewal of a Pacific Northwest rivalry between them, the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps which dated back to the North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. Although Vancouver was not new to the league, this was the first season they competed in under the Whitecaps name. Beginning with their founding in 1986 through the 2000 A-League
2000 A-League
-Northeast Division:-Atlantic Division:-Central Division:-Pacific Division:-Eastern Conference:-Western Conference:-----Eastern semifinal 1:-Eastern semifinal 2:-Western semifinal 1:-Western semifinal 2:...
season, Vancouver had operated under the 86ers name. An ownership change in August 2000 brought a revival of the old Whitecaps name for the 2001 season. At the end of the regular season, the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
topped the league with seventy-six points. The post-season was marred by two tragedies. First, the September 11 attacks forced the league to reschedule the first round games which had been set to begin on September 12. Then, Mickey Trotman
Mickey Trotman
Mickey Trotman was an football player from Trinidad and Tobago who played in the United States with the Dallas Burn, the Miami Fusion and the Rochester Rhinos, as well as representing the Trinidad and Tobago national football team...
, a starter for the Rochester Rhinos, was killed in an automobile accident two days before the team's first semifinal match with the Milwaukee Rampage
Milwaukee Rampage
The Milwaukee Rampage is a defunct American soccer franchise, which played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the A-League. The Rampage folded in 2002 because of financial problems, despite winning the A-league championship that year, as well as in 1997. The Rampage was founded in 1994 as a member of the...
. In the end, the Rhinos overcame the Hershey Wildcats
Hershey Wildcats
Hershey Wildcats were a professional soccer team, based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA, that played in the USL A-League between 1997 and 2001. The team was owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company...
to take its third league title in four seasons.
Northern Conference
| Place | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | BP | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hershey Wildcats Hershey Wildcats Hershey Wildcats were a professional soccer team, based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA, that played in the USL A-League between 1997 and 2001. The team was owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company... |
26 | 16 | 3 | 7 | 45 | 20 | +25 | 8 | 75 |
| 2 | Rochester Raging Rhinos Rochester Raging Rhinos The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League... |
26 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 43 | 27 | +16 | 6 | 74 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds Pittsburgh Riverhounds Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
26 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 6 | 50 |
| 4 | Montreal Impact Montreal Impact Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe... |
26 | 10 | 2 | 14 | 29 | 37 | -8 | 3 | 45 |
| 5 | Connecticut Wolves Connecticut Wolves The Connecticut Wolves were a soccer club that competed in the United Soccer Leagues from 1993 to 2002. Based in New Britain, Connecticut, and playing in Veteran's Stadium, the club started in the D-3 Pro League before moving to the A-League in 1997.-History:... |
26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 30 | 37 | -7 | 1 | 43 |
| 6 | Long Island Rough Riders Long Island Rough Riders Long Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its... |
26 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 31 | 50 | -19 | 5 | 33 |
| 6 | Toronto Lynx Toronto Lynx Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.... |
26 | 7 | 3 | 16 | 20 | 41 | -21 | 1 | 32 |
Central Conference
| Place | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | BP | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond Kickers Richmond Kickers The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid... |
26 | 16 | 3 | 7 | 47 | 34 | +13 | 9 | 76 |
| 2 | Charleston Battery Charleston Battery Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
26 | 16 | 1 | 9 | 51 | 34 | +17 | 8 | 73 |
| 3 | Charlotte Eagles Charlotte Eagles Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
26 | 14 | 2 | 10 | 50 | 41 | +9 | 8 | 66 |
| 4 | Nashville Metros Nashville Metros Nashville Metros is an American soccer team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference... |
26 | 14 | 2 | 10 | 47 | 48 | -1 | 5 | 63 |
| 5 | Atlanta Silverbacks Atlanta Silverbacks Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership... |
26 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 48 | 39 | +9 | 6 | 59 |
| 6 | Indiana Blast Indiana Blast Indiana Blast were an American soccer team, founded in 1997. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues, and played in the D-3 Pro League, the A-League and the USL Premier Development League, until folding at the end of the 2004 season.... |
26 | 8 | 0 | 18 | 38 | 55 | -17 | 3 | 35 |
| 6 | Cincinnati Riverhawks Cincinnati Riverhawks The Cincinnati Riverhawks were a professional soccer team that debuted in the USISL Premier Development League in 1997 and joined the A-League from 1998 to 2003... |
26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 39 | 80 | -41 | 3 | 27 |
Western Conference
| Place | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | BP | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 26 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 44 | 33 | +11 | 8 | 74 |
| 2 | San Diego Flash San Diego Flash San Diego Flash is an American soccer team based in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1998, the team returned to competitive play in 2011 when it made its debut in the Southwest Flight of the West Division of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer... |
26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 55 | 42 | +13 | 11 | 68 |
| 3 | Milwaukee Rampage Milwaukee Rampage The Milwaukee Rampage is a defunct American soccer franchise, which played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the A-League. The Rampage folded in 2002 because of financial problems, despite winning the A-league championship that year, as well as in 1997. The Rampage was founded in 1994 as a member of the... |
26 | 14 | 2 | 10 | 45 | 40 | +5 | 5 | 63 |
| 4 | Portland Timbers | 26 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 41 | 38 | +3 | 7 | 62 |
| 5 | Seattle Sounders | 26 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 40 | 39 | +1 | 4 | 57 |
| 6 | Minnesota Thunder Minnesota Thunder Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby... |
26 | 9 | 2 | 15 | 29 | 34 | -5 | 3 | 41 |
| 6 | El Paso Patriots El Paso Patriots Chivas El Paso Patriots is an American soccer team based in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at... |
26 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 39 | 42 | -3 | 4 | 40 |
Bracket
Pittsburgh vs Charleston
San Diego vs Atlanta
Portland vs Charlotte
Milwaukee vs Nashville
Milwaukee vs Richmond
Hershey vs Portland
Vancouver vs San Diego
Rochester vs Pittsburg
Semifinal 1
Semifinal 2
Final
Points leaders
| Rank | Scorer | Club | GP | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Conway Paul Conway (soccer) Paul Conway is a retired American soccer forward who spent five seasons in the English lower divisions before returning to the United States. He was the 2001 United Soccer Leagues leading goal scorer and MVP... |
Charleston Battery Charleston Battery Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
25 | 22 | 3 | 47 |
| 2 | Dustin Swinehart Dustin Swinehart Dustin Swinehart is an American soccer player who currently plays for USASA amateur team CASL Elite. He spent virtually his entire professional career playing with the Charlotte Eagles.-College:... |
Charlotte Eagles Charlotte Eagles Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
23 | 18 | 3 | 39 |
| 3 | Jakob Fenger | Nashville Metros Nashville Metros Nashville Metros is an American soccer team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference... |
24 | 14 | 6 | 34 |
| 4 | Jeff Houser | Nashville Metros Nashville Metros Nashville Metros is an American soccer team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference... |
24 | 14 | 5 | 33 |
| 5 | Digital Takawira | Milwaukee Rampage Milwaukee Rampage The Milwaukee Rampage is a defunct American soccer franchise, which played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the A-League. The Rampage folded in 2002 because of financial problems, despite winning the A-league championship that year, as well as in 1997. The Rampage was founded in 1994 as a member of the... |
20 | 13 | 4 | 30 |
| 6 | Kevin Jeffrey Kevin Jeffrey Kevin Jeffrey is a former professional football forward who spent eight season in the USL First Division... |
Richmond Kickers Richmond Kickers The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid... |
24 | 11 | 7 | 29 |
| Leighton O'Brien Leighton O'Brien Leighton O'Brien is an American soccer player, currently serving as the Director of Coaching for the Renton Football Club for youth since 2006 and the head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women.... |
Seattle Sounders | 24 | 11 | 7 | 29 | |
| Mark Baena Mark Baena Mark Baena is a retired American soccer player. Baena is the highest goalscorer in the history of USL First Division, where he amassed eighty-six goals... |
Portland Timbers | 24 | 13 | 3 | 29 | |
| 9 | Ignace Moleka Ignace Moleka Nzoko Ignace “Iggy” Moleka is a retired Zaire football midfielder who played professionally in the United States and Japan.In 1991, Moleka received a sholarship to play soccer at Florida International University. He left FIU at the end of the season. In 1993, he played for Topaz Haiti, a... |
Atlanta Silverbacks Atlanta Silverbacks Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership... |
19 | 12 | 1 | 25 |
| Luis Macias | El Paso Patriots El Paso Patriots Chivas El Paso Patriots is an American soccer team based in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at... |
23 | 12 | 1 | 25 | |
| Chugger Adair | San Diego Flash San Diego Flash San Diego Flash is an American soccer team based in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1998, the team returned to competitive play in 2011 when it made its debut in the Southwest Flight of the West Division of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer... |
22 | 10 | 5 | 25 | |
| Jason Jordan Jason Jordan Jason Jordan is a retired professional soccer player who formerly played for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the First Division of the United Soccer Leagues... |
Vancouver Whitecaps | 18 | 9 | 7 | 25 | |
| Rodrigo Costa | Indiana Blast Indiana Blast Indiana Blast were an American soccer team, founded in 1997. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues, and played in the D-3 Pro League, the A-League and the USL Premier Development League, until folding at the end of the 2004 season.... |
21 | 11 | 3 | 25 | |
| 14 | Mark Rowland Mark Rowland Mark Robert Rowland is a retired British athlete, who was a bronze medallist at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.... |
El Paso Patriots El Paso Patriots Chivas El Paso Patriots is an American soccer team based in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at... |
26 | 7 | 10 | 24 |
| 15 | Josh Henderson Josh Henderson (soccer) Josh Henderson is a retired American soccer forward who played professionally in the USL A-League.-Youth:Henderson graduated from La Canada High School. He attended Duke University, playing three seasons with the Duke’s soccer team... |
Richmond Kickers Richmond Kickers The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid... |
21 | 10 | 3 | 23 |
Annual awards
- Most Valuable Player: Paul ConwayPaul Conway (soccer)Paul Conway is a retired American soccer forward who spent five seasons in the English lower divisions before returning to the United States. He was the 2001 United Soccer Leagues leading goal scorer and MVP...
- Leading Goal Scorer: Paul ConwayPaul Conway (soccer)Paul Conway is a retired American soccer forward who spent five seasons in the English lower divisions before returning to the United States. He was the 2001 United Soccer Leagues leading goal scorer and MVP...
- Goalkeeper of the Year: Jon BuschJon BuschJon Busch is an American soccer goalkeeper for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
- Defender of the Year: Rick Titus
- Rookie of the Year: Robbie AristodemoRobbie AristodemoRobert David Aristodemo is a professional soccer player. A midfielder, he played indoors for the Baltimore Blast from 2006 to 2011, when he announced his retirement before the 2011-2012 season.-Club career:...
- Coach of the Year: Dale MitchellDale Mitchell (soccer)Dale William Dink Mitchell is a former top-level professional association football striker who played for several North American teams in the 1980s and 1990s....
- First Team All A-League
- Goalkeeper: Jon BuschJon BuschJon Busch is an American soccer goalkeeper for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
- Defenders: Scott SchweitzerScott SchweitzerScott Schweitzer is an American soccer coach and former professional soccer player. He spent two years as the head coach of Carolina RailHawks FC.-College soccer:...
, Rick Titus, Gilbert Jean-Baptiste - Midfielders: Philipe Godoy, Stoian MladenovStoian MladenovStoian Mladenov is a retired Bulgarian football midfielder who played professionally in Europe and the United States.In 1993, Mladenov began his career with Lokomotiv Ruse before moving to Rakovski Ruse in 1994 and F.C. Etar in 1995. Mladenov left Bulgaria for Malta in 1996, signing with Nadur...
, Leighton O'BrienLeighton O'BrienLeighton O'Brien is an American soccer player, currently serving as the Director of Coaching for the Renton Football Club for youth since 2006 and the head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women....
, Temoc SuarezTemoc SuarezCuauhtemoc “Temoc” Suarez was a U.S. soccer player who spent three seasons in Major League Soccer, two in the National Professional Soccer League and five in the USL First Division. He is the director/owner of Suarez Soccer School in Charleston, SC... - Forwards: Paul ConwayPaul Conway (soccer)Paul Conway is a retired American soccer forward who spent five seasons in the English lower divisions before returning to the United States. He was the 2001 United Soccer Leagues leading goal scorer and MVP...
, Kevin JeffreyKevin JeffreyKevin Jeffrey is a former professional football forward who spent eight season in the USL First Division...
, Dustin SwinehartDustin SwinehartDustin Swinehart is an American soccer player who currently plays for USASA amateur team CASL Elite. He spent virtually his entire professional career playing with the Charlotte Eagles.-College:...
- Second Team All A-League
- Goalkeeper: Matt NapoleonMatt NapoleonMatt Napoleon is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in Major League Soccer and the USL A-League. He was a member of the United States men's national under-20 soccer team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.-Youth:...
- Defenders: James Wall, Brent SanchoBrent SanchoBrent Sancho is a Trinidadian soccer player who currently plays for Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division.-College:Sancho spent his college years playing for St...
, Jason AnniccheroJason AnniccheroJason Annicchero is a retired American soccer defender who spent six seasons in A-League.In 1993, Annicchero graduated from Amador High School. He attended Santa Clara University where he was a 1996 Second Team All American. On February 1, 1997, the San Jose Clash selected Αnnicchero in the... - Midfielders: John BallJohn Ball (soccer)John Ball is an American soccer player who currently plays for USASA amateur team CASL Elite.-College:Ball played college soccer for Southern Connecticut State...
, Lenin SteenkampLenin SteenkampLenin Steenkamp is a retired South African football player who spent his entire career in the United States.-College:...
, Kevin KnightKevin KnightKevin Knight is an American retired professional soccer defender.-Youth:Knight attended James Madison University where he played on the men's soccer team from 1995 to 1998.-Professional:...
, Steve KindelSteve KindelSteve Kindel is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for Surrey United Firefighters.-Club:... - Forwards: Jakob Fenger, Digital Takawira, Rodrigo Costa