USL Free Kicks Blog - blog.uslsoccer.com

by Gerald Barnhart

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

USLsoccer.com continues its look at the best and most influential USL Second Division players of the past decade with number 9 on the Top 15, Everson Maciel. The Western Mass midfielder quietly served as the director of the Pioneer midfield for much of the decade.

# 9 – Everson Maciel

The Brazilian joined Western Mass Pioneers in 2004 and was an instant success in the USL Second Division, garnering All-League honors for tallying six goals and two assist on the year despite the club missing the postseason.

The following year, however, the Quinnipiac College product went on to post five goals and four assists while leading the team to a 13-3-4 campaign that earned the club the regular season championship. His efforts earned a second All-League nod.

In the 2005 playoffs, Maciel helped bring the Pioneers back twice in the two-game aggregate score series against Wilmington, notching both equalizers at home in the second leg after a 1-0 loss on the road in the opener, sending the club to its second championship game appearance on a 3-2 aggregate victory. The club battled to a 2-2 draw at home against Charlotte in the Final, but were edged out for the title in penalties despite Maciel’s conversion on his shot.

Despite his numbers dropping off after 2005, Maciel continued to receive All-League recognition as the club struggled around the .500 mark, picking up the award in 2006 and 2007. He is one of only six players in the league’s history to receive the honor four times, with only Dustin Swinehart having more (6).

Previously...

10 - Mark Schulte, 11 – Nathan Salsi, 12 – Jorge Estrada, 13 – Derrick Etienne, 14 – Ethan Zohn, 15 – Fadi Afash (First Five [+])

The Top 15 of USL-2 will continue with one player unveiled each Wednesday for the next 8 weeks. A new player will also be unveiled in the countdown of the Top 25 of USL-1 each Tuesday and Thursday.