Only the Seattle Sounders have as many players picked by the league’s coaches and general managers, with defender Danny Jackson, midfielder Andrew Gregor and goalkeeper Rich Cullen.
This is the second straight year Gervais (photo) has been selected on the first all-star team, while Sutton and Zé Roberto are making a first appearance.
"It’s flattering considering how many talented players there are in the league," said Gervais. "And it says a lot about the quality of our defense as a whole. Team success always helps players have success individually, but I’d trade all that for a chance to continue playing in the playoffs."
Gervais, one of five Impact players to play over 2,000 minutes this season, was the leader of the best defensive line in the A-League in 2003, with 21 goals allowed in 28 games.
Sutton, who became on Tuesday the second Impact player in club history to be chosen A-League Goalkeeper of the Year after Paolo Ceccarelli in 1996, led the league in several categories, including goals-against average (0.73), wins (15) and shutouts (11). His 11 shutouts are also a personal best.
Zé Roberto finished second in the Impact scoring race with 17 points, three behind Mauro Biello. The Brazilian midfielder scored six goals and collected five assists, including two game winners and one game-tying goal. Roberto scored a total of four goals and four assists on the road to help his team post the best away record in the A-League (10-3-1). In fact, the Impact had a 6-0-2 record in regular-season games when he was on the scoresheet.
All three players also helped the Impact finish on top of the Northeast Divison and the Eastern Conference with a 16-6-6 record, as well as first in overall A-League standings tied with the Milwaukee Wave United.
For more details on the all-star team picks, go to the A-League web site at www.uslsoccer.com.
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
