FC Tucson captain anchored back line responsible for a 548-minute shutout streak
Tucson, AZ (Monday, July 30, 2012) — FC Tucson captain Conor Spence was named to the PDL Western Conference All-Conference team as a defender in an announcement made by the league on Monday morning. Spence becomes the first player in FC Tucson history to be named to the Western Conference All-Conference team.
“Wow, I’m speechless at the moment,” Spence said. “I was just so fortunate to play for FC Tucson. This never would’ve happened if it wasn’t for the players I was surrounded by. This was a very competitive league and it’s a great honor to be chosen to represent this conference.
“I couldn’t be more thankful of FC Tucson for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play for what turned out to be a very successful first year for the team.”
Spence appeared in all 16 of FC Tucson’s regular season PDL games and led the team in minutes played with 1,363 minutes out of a possible 1,440. He also started for FC Tucson in its first-ever playoff game on July 21. On June 14, Spence scored his lone goal of the season, a header off a free kick from teammate Reid Schmitt that helped secure a 1-1 tie with the LA Misioneros in front of a raucous home crowd in Tucson.
“FC Tucson is proud to have Conor Spence represent our team on the USL PDL All-Conference squad,” said FC Tucson general manager Jon Pearlman. “Conor was an outstanding captain and an ironman for our team. His dominance in the air and superb tackling was the reason he was a centerpiece of our defense, which was one of the stingiest in the nation.”
The PDL will announce its All-League team on Tuesday, July 31. The finalists for Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be announced on Wednesday, August 1. The awards will be presented during PDL’s Awards Ceremony on Saturday, August 4.
