University of Akron sophomore forward Teal Bunbury was named the Soccer America Player of the Year on Friday after leading the nation in goals scored in 2009.
This is the second year in a row a UA player was named Player of the Year by the publication and the third time a sophomore won the award, which was first handed out in 1984. Former Zips standout Steve Zakuani won the 2008 Player of the Year award as a sophomore. The only other sophomore to win the honor was Virginia's Claudio Reyna, who won the first of back-to-back awards in 1992.
Bunbury, also earned the 2009 Mid-American Conference and Goal.com Player of the Year awards.
Bunbury, a native of Prior Lake, Minn., led all Division I players with 17 goals in 2009 and helped the Zips to a national runnerup finish in the NCAA Tournament and a 23-1-1 record. He had five goals that were game-winners and four of his five assists led to game-winning goals.
He has at least one goal or one assist in 16 of 25 games and scored multiple goals in four games. From late September to early November, he scored 14 goals in a 12-game span, including four game-winners.
Bunbury compiled a team-high 39 points and started every game for UA, which was ranked No. 1 in the country by all five national polls for the final nine weeks of the season. He netted six goals as a freshman.
Bunbury is one of three finalists this year for the Hermann Trophy, college soccer’s version of football’s Heisman Trophy. The winner will be announced on Jan. 8 at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis, Mo.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Sure, makes all the sense in the world: a guy who didn't score a goal in the last 5 games, who in fact COULDN'T produce when the entire destiny of his team depended on it, who was positively sleepy on the field in North Carolina in BOTH games is being nominated for the best player. he-he. I am willing to bet ANYTHIN' he will not receive the title that matter – that being awarded in Missouri on Jan. 8. I am taking on bets, you boneheads. Anyone? c'mon!
Alex must be a Kent fan. One of the three Kent fans who still exist.
Once again – if a team wins a game via shootout to move from 23 – 0 – 0 to 23 – 0 – 1, how can a team go from 23 – 0 – 1 to 23 – 1 – 1 by losing a game via shootout?
Attention . . . . all posters . . . . . analytical posts will be deleted . . . . . especially if they have a hint of negativity.
r m kraus
It was reported this morning that Bunbury is passing on his final two years at Akron and signing with MLS. Tough one!
Bunbury didn't come to Akron U to get an education . . . . . he's nothing but a traveling professional athlete. No doubt Proenza will be disappointed. I wonder if Bunbury has dropped out already.
rmk/akron
There is also word that Gavin will be leaving for the MLS. That's a tough break for the team, but also a huge boost for future recruiting. I would have loved to see everyone return. We should still have a very formidable team though.
@RMK
You education comments about Bunbury are off base. As part of Bunbury's Generation Adidas contract the league will make sure that he is able to complete his education.
That contract makes him a pro
Perhaps we have found the culprit who calls themselves Alex. What's your beef with the university, RMK? Does that there higher learnin' just make you all angry inside?
Alex,
Bunbury, who is positively built like a star EPL forward, was facing double and triple teams all tournament. Could he have attempted more shots? Yes, I believe the WHOLE team was tight once inside the final 1/3 of the field, but let's face it, the final two teams that UA faced made it to the Final Four for a reason: stellar defenses.
The kid is 19/20, cut him some slack.
does anyone have links to the stories about Blair Gavin and Teal Bunbury heading to MLS? I have not seen any verified news stories. Blair Gavin is a smart, very under-rated player.
The Generation Adidas Contracts have not been officially announced, but it is being reported by MLS Insider at http://mlsinsiderblog.com/?p=579.
Bunbury was also reported in the Washington Post at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/12/akrons_bunbury_to_mls.html.
3rdDegree is also tracking them and has both Gavin and Bunbury on the list at http://www.3rddegree.net/ga-tracking/
One other source reporting online.. http://wvhooligan.com/2009/12/18/more-generation-adidas-signings/
So I wouldn't call it Bull.
Wow. Some of the comments posted by Alex are very offensive and ignorant. I respect someone who expresses their opinion, but the personal attacks and racism have got to stop.
Happy New Years Alex. While I share your concern for the ever-increasing rates of college tuition, as liberal politicians continue the privatization of our public universities, I look forward to you being blackmailed at an ever increasing rate in 2010. Go Zips. This is our year. See you in Santa Barbara.