Aug. 9, 2010
TAMPA, Fla. - Fordham goalkeeper Ryan Meara (Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep) was announced as the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (USL/PDL) Goalkeeper of the Year by officials from the league at Friday's annual awards ceremony in conjunction with the 2010 PDL Championship in Portland, Ore.
Voting on the awards was conducted by the PDL coaches and general managers. Along with Goalkeeper of the Year, the Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, Coach of the Year and Rookie of the Year was announced.
Meara was named to the PDL All-League Team after recording an impressive eight shutout wins in only 12 games played. The Express used Meara's solid play to post a 10-3-3 regular season record before bowing out against Ottawa in the conference semis. Meara ranked fourth in the league in goals-against average at 0.666 and only Ottawa's Andrew Murphy had more shutouts.
Votes for the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year awards are submitted by PDL team management. Rookie of the Year finalists are determined by All-Conference voting, while the Defender of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year are chosen based on total All-Conference votes.
Along with being selected as one of 11 players out of a 2,000-person league for All-League honors, Meara was also tabbed the All-Eastern Conference goalkeeper.
The PDL/USL is the top amateur summer league. It is a national league that fields players from many different colleges.
