2000 USL A-League
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football league season
| competition = USL A-League
-2000 Season-
| season = 2000
| num_teams = 25
| winners = Rochester Rhinos
(2nd title)
| premiers = Minnesota Thunder
(1st title)
| matches =
| league topscorer = Paul Conway, Greg Howes, Johnny Menyongar
(17 goals)
| highest scoring =
| total goals =
| longest wins =
| longest unbeaten =
| longest losses =
| highest attendance =
| lowest attendance =
| average attendance =
| prevseason = 1999
| nextseason = 2001
}}
The 2000 USL A-League was an American Division II league run by the United Soccer League during the summer of 2000.
League standings
=Eastern Conference=
==Northeast Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|loss_before_draw=y
|winpoints=4
|team1=LIR|name_LIR=Long Island Rough Riders
|team2=ROC|name_ROC=Rochester Raging Rhinos
|team3=TOR|name_TOR=Toronto Lynx
|team4=MON|name_MON=Montreal Impact
|team5=BOS|name_BOS=Boston Bulldogs
|team6=CON|name_CON=Connecticut Wolves
|win_LIR=16|draw_LIR=3|loss_LIR=9|gf_LIR=54|ga_LIR=36
|win_ROC=17|draw_ROC=2|loss_ROC=9|gf_ROC=42|ga_ROC=25
|win_TOR=13|draw_TOR=4|loss_TOR=11|gf_TOR=35|ga_TOR=30
|win_MON=12|draw_MON=3|loss_MON=13|gf_MON=34|ga_MON=41
|win_BOS=9|draw_BOS=3|loss_BOS=16|gf_BOS=32|ga_BOS=41
|win_CON=1|draw_CON=8|loss_CON=19|gf_CON=22|ga_CON=57
|show_bonus_points=y
|adjust_points_LIR=+9
|adjust_points_ROC=+5
|adjust_points_TOR=+3
|adjust_points_MON=+3
|adjust_points_BOS=+3
|adjust_points_CON=+1
|col_Q=green2|text_Q=
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
==Atlantic Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|loss_before_draw=y
|winpoints=4
|team1=CHA|name_CHA=Charleston Battery
|team2=RIC|name_RIC=Richmond Kickers
|team3=HER|name_HER=Hershey Wildcats
|team4=HAM|name_HAM=Hampton Roads Mariners
|team5=RAL|name_RAL=Raleigh Capital Express
|team6=ATL|name_ATL=Atlanta Silverbacks
|team7=PIT|name_PIT=Pittsburgh Riverhounds
|win_CHA=18|draw_CHA=2|loss_CHA=8|gf_CHA=59|ga_CHA=36
|win_RIC=20|draw_RIC=1|loss_RIC=7|gf_RIC=42|ga_RIC=25
|win_HER=15|draw_HER=3|loss_HER=10|gf_HER=49|ga_HER=30
|win_HAM=14|draw_HAM=2|loss_HAM=12|gf_HAM=44|ga_HAM=38
|win_RAL=12|draw_RAL=4|loss_RAL=12|gf_RAL=48|ga_RAL=52
|win_ATL=11|draw_ATL=3|loss_ATL=14|gf_ATL=51|ga_ATL=42
|win_PIT=10|draw_PIT=4|loss_PIT=14|gf_PIT=41|ga_PIT=43
|show_bonus_points=y
|adjust_points_CHA=+13
|adjust_points_RIC=+3
|adjust_points_HER=+7
|adjust_points_HAM=+4
|adjust_points_RAL=+6
|adjust_points_ATL=+8
|adjust_points_PIT=+5
|col_Q=green2|text_Q=
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q|result5=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
=Western Conference=
==Central Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|loss_before_draw=y
|winpoints=4
|team1=MIN|name_MIN=Minnesota Thunder
|team2=MIL|name_MIL=Milwaukee Rampage
|team3=IND|name_IND=Indiana Blast
|team4=MLS|name_MLS=MLS Project 40
|team5=TEN|name_TEN=Tennessee Rhythm
|team6=CIN|name_CIN=Cincinnati Riverhawks
|win_MIN=20|draw_MIN=4|loss_MIN=4|gf_MIN=74|ga_MIN=30
|win_MIL=18|draw_MIL=1|loss_MIL=9|gf_MIL=69|ga_MIL=47
|win_IND=9|draw_IND=4|loss_IND=15|gf_IND=40|ga_IND=57
|win_MLS=8|draw_MLS=1|loss_MLS=19|gf_MLS=35|ga_MLS=60
|win_TEN=6|draw_TEN=0|loss_TEN=22|gf_TEN=36|ga_TEN=103
|win_CIN=2|draw_CIN=3|loss_CIN=23|gf_CIN=25|ga_CIN=80
|show_bonus_points=y
|adjust_points_MIN=+15
|adjust_points_MIL=+16
|adjust_points_IND=+5
|adjust_points_MLS=+3
|adjust_points_TEN=+1
|adjust_points_CIN=+2
|col_Q=green2|text_Q=
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
==Pacific Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|loss_before_draw=y
|winpoints=4
|team1=SEA|name_SEA=Seattle Sounders
|team2=SDG|name_SDG=San Diego Flash
|team3=VAN|name_VAN=Vancouver 86ers
|team4=ELP|name_ELP=El Paso Patriots
|team5=BAY|name_BAY=Bay Area Seals
|team6=ORA|name_ORA=Orange County Waves
|win_SEA=18|draw_SEA=3|loss_SEA=7|gf_SEA=56|ga_SEA=38
|win_SDG=16|draw_SDG=3|loss_SDG=9|gf_SDG=54|ga_SDG=32
|win_VAN=14|draw_VAN=3|loss_VAN=11|gf_VAN=62|ga_VAN=41
|win_ELP=12|draw_ELP=2|loss_ELP=14|gf_ELP=48|ga_ELP=50
|win_BAY=12|draw_BAY=3|loss_BAY=13|gf_BAY=42|ga_BAY=53
|win_ORA=12|draw_ORA=1|loss_ORA=15|gf_ORA=44|ga_ORA=52
|show_bonus_points=y
|adjust_points_SEA=+10
|adjust_points_SDG=+8
|adjust_points_VAN=+11
|adjust_points_ELP=+7
|adjust_points_BAY=+5
|adjust_points_ORA=+6
|col_Q=green2|text_Q=
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q|result5=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
Conference Quarterfinals
=Eastern Conference=
{{football box|
date = September 8, 2000
7:30 PM (EST) |
team1 = Long Island Rough Riders (NY) |
goals1 = Dahir Mohammed {{Goal|78}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|5}} Brian Ashton
{{Goal|43}} Juan Pablo Arango |
score = 1–2 |
report = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/00lynx66.htm |
team2 = Toronto Lynx (ON) |
stadium = Mitchel Athletic Complex Uniondale, New York
| attendance = 758
| referee =
}}
{{football box|
date = September 9, 2000
7:30 PM (EST) |
team1 = Charleston Battery (SC) |
goals1 = Paul Conway {{Goal|24}}
Gilbert Jean-Baptiste {{yel}} |
goals2 = {{yel}} Ihor Dotsenko |
score = 1–0 |
report = http://www.charlestonbattery.com/2000/Raleigh_6.htm |
team2 = Raleigh Capital Express (NC) |
stadium = Blackbaud Stadium Charleston, South Carolina
| attendance = 3,091
| referee =
}}
{{football box|
date = September 9, 2000
7:35 PM (EST) |
team1 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
goals1 = Mali Walton {{Goal|47:38}}, {{yel|59}}
Yari Allnutt {{Goal|51:28}}
Dan Stebbins {{yel|57}}, {{Goal|85}}
Martin Nash {{yel|62}}
Onandi Lowe {{yel|71}}, {{Goal|78}}
Scott Schweitzer {{sent off|0|90}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|40:52}} Greg Simmonds
{{yel|32}} Mike Williams
{{yel|36}} Mike Henning
{{yel|59}} Ze Roberto
{{Goal|90}} Timothy Leonard |
score = 4–2 |
report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/136652240/?terms=Rhinos |
team2 = Hershey Wildcats (PA) |
stadium = Frontier Field, Rochester, New York |
attendance = 10,456 |
referee =
}}
{{football box|
date = September 9, 2000 |
team1 = Richmond Kickers (VA) |
goals1 = Paul Lekics {{Goal|90}}
Rob Ukrop {{golden goal|113}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|41}} Jakob Fenger |
score = 2–1 (OT) |
report = |
team2 = Hampton Roads Mariners (VA) |
stadium =UR Stadium, Richmond, Virginia |
attendance = 3,927 |
referee =
}}
=Western Conference=
{{football box|
date = September 9, 2000
7:30 PM EST |
team1 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI) |
goals1 = Digital Takawira {{Goal|5||94}}
Igor Soso {{Goal|85}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|41}} Mark Rowland
{{Goal|63}} Kirk Wilson |
score = 3–2 |
report = |
team2 = El Paso Patriots (TX) |
stadium = Uihlein Soccer Park Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| attendance = 3,122
| referee =
}}
{{football box|
date = September 9, 2000
7:35 PM (CDT) |
team1 = Minnesota Thunder (MN) |
goals1 = Brian Winters {{Goal|2||61}}
Chugger Adair {{Goal|27}}
Morgan Zeba {{Goal|47||63}}
Johnny Menyongar {{Goal|53}}
Paul Schneider {{Goal|80}} |
goals2 = |
score = 7–0 |
report = http://www.uslfans.com/news/2000/news,2000,0154.shtml |
team2 = Indiana Blast (IN) |
stadium = National Sports Center Blaine, Minnesota
| attendance = 2,957
| referee = Kelly Ross (USA)
}}
{{football box|
date = September 9, 2000 |
team1 = Seattle Sounders (WA) |
goals1 = Craig Waibel {{Goal|26}}, {{yel|57}}
Viet Nguyen {{Goal|45}}
Scott Jenkins {{yel|48}}
Tim Steidten {{yel|79}}|
goals2 = {{Goal|5}} Marquis White
{{yel|44}} Jeremy Sweet
{{yel|55}} Kevin Jeffrey |
score = 2–1 |
report = http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/2000/sep10.html |
team2 = Bay Area Seals (CA) |
stadium = Memorial Stadium, Seattle, Washington
| attendance = 3,239
| referee = Cory Dean (USA)
}}
{{football box|
date = September 12, 1998
7:35 PM (PDT) |
team1 = San Diego Flash (CA) |
goals1 = Anthony Farace {{yel|21}}
Carlos Farias {{Goal|53}}
Leighton O'Brien {{yel|77}}
Raul Calderon {{yel|103}} |
goals2 = {{yel|2}} Chris Franks
{{yel|38}} Carmen D'Onofrio
{{Goal|43}} Paul Dailly |
score = 1–1 |
aet=yes |
report = http://www.a-league.com/news/2000/news,2000,0153.shtml |
team2 = Vancouver 86ers (BC) |
stadium = Douglas Stadium, San Diego, California|
attendance = 3,877 |
referee = Nathan Lacy (USA)
|penalties1= Carlos Farias {{pengoal}}
Carlos Calderson {{pengoal}}
Emmanuel Ayim {{pengoal}}
Jerome Watson {{penmiss}}
Brian O'Connor {{pengoal}}
|penaltyscore=3–4
|penalties2= {{pengoal}} Darren Tilley
{{pengoal}} Domenic Mobilio
{{pengoal}} Steve Kindel
{{pengoal}} Chris Franks
{{pengoal}} Rick Titus
}}
Conference semifinals
=Eastern semifinal 1=
{{football box|
date = September 15, 2000
7:30 PM (EDT)|
team1 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
goals1 = Onandi Lowe {{Goal|8}}, {{yel|42}}
Yari Allnutt {{Goal|10}} |
goals2 = {{yel|2}} Darren Warham
{{sent off|2|56|76}} Brent Sancho|
score = 2–0 |
report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/136907258/?terms=Rhinos |
team2 = Charleston Battery (SC) |
stadium = Frontier Field, Rochester, New York
| attendance = 7,531
| referee =
}}
{{football box|
date = September 16, 2000
7:30 PM (EDT)|
team1 = Charleston Battery (SC) |
goals1 = |
goals2 = {{Goal|28}} Dan Stebbins
{{yel|82}} Scott Vallow|
score = 0–1 |
report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/136908027/?terms=Rhinos |
team2 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
stadium = Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina
| attendance = 2,806
| referee =
}}
The Rochester Rhinos advanced 3–0 on aggregate.
=Eastern semifinal 2=
{{football box|
date = September 15, 2000
7:30 PM (EDT)|
team1 = Toronto Lynx (ON) |
goals1 = Milan Kojić {{yel|32}}
Nikola Vignjević {{Goal|36|pen.}} |
goals2 = |
score = 1–0 |
report = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/00lynx76.htm |
team2 = Richmond Kickers (VA) |
stadium = Varsity Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
| attendance = 1,989
| referee = Manuel Orellano (Canada)
}}
{{football box|
date = September 17, 2000
7:00 PM (EDT)|
team1 = Richmond Kickers (VA) |
goals1 = |
goals2 = {{Goal|39}} Milan Kojić |
score = 0–1 |
report = http://www.uslfans.com/news/2000/news,2000,0176.shtml |
team2 = Toronto Lynx (ON) |
stadium = City Stadium, Richmond, Virginia
| attendance = 4,027
| referee =
}}
Toronto Lynx advanced 2–0 on aggregate.
=Western semifinal 1=
{{football box|
date = September 13, 2000
7:30 PM (PDT)|
team1 = Vancouver 86ers (BC) |
goals1 = Alfredo Valente {{Goal|30}}
John Sulentic {{Goal|69||90}} |
goals2 = {{sent off|0|69}} John Sylvester
{{yel|72}} John Coughlin |
score = 3–0 |
report = http://www.a-league.com/news/2000/news,2000,0163.shtml |
team2 = Minnesota Thunder (MN) |
stadium = Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, British Columbia
| attendance = 5,127
| referee = Rene Parra (Canada)
}}
{{football box|
date = September 16, 2000
7:35 PM (CDT)|
team1 = Minnesota Thunder (MN) |
goals1 = Don Gramenz {{yel|30}}
Mike Gentile {{Goal|35}}
Chugger Adair {{Goal|45}}
Brian Winters {{Goal|86}}
Morgan Zeba {{golden goal|94}} |
goals2 = {{yel|13}} Darren Tilley
{{yel|90}} Joe Scigliano
{{yel|90}} Domenic Mobilio |
score = 4–0 (OT) |
report = http://www.a-league.com/news/2000/news,2000,0174.shtml |
team2 = Vancouver 86ers (BC) |
stadium = National Sports Center, Blaine, Minnesota
| attendance = 3,005
| referee = Michael Kennedy (USA)
}}
The Minnesota Thunder advanced 4–3 on aggregate.
=Western semifinal 2=
{{football box|
date = September 13, 2000
5:30 PM (CDT)|
team1 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI) |
goals1 = Digital Takawira {{Goal|1}}
Jason Willan {{Goal|33}}
Steve Bernal {{yel|60}} |
goals2 = {{yel|20}}, {{Goal|90}} Andrew Gregor
{{yel|75}} Ali John Utush
{{yel|90}} Craig Tomlinson |
score = 2–1 |
report = http://www.a-league.com/news/2000/news,2000,0173.shtml |
team2 = Seattle Sounders (WA) |
stadium = Uihlein Soccer Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| attendance = 2,558
| referee = Ricardo Salazar (USA)
}}
{{football box|
date = September 17, 2000
7:00 PM (PDT)|
team1 = Seattle Sounders (WA) |
goals1 = Greg Howes {{Goal|10}}
Ali John Utush {{yel|39}}
Craig Waibel {{yel|57}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|34}} Yuri Lavrinenko
{{yel|54}} Todd Dusosky
{{yel|82}} Jake Provan
{{Goal|90}} Brian Loftin
{{yel|90}} Dan Popik |
score = 1–2 |
report = http://www.a-league.com/news/2000/news,2000,0175.shtml |
team2 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI) |
stadium = Memorial Stadium, Seattle, Washington
| attendance = 1,952
| referee = Kari Seitz (USA)
}}
Milwaukee Rampage advanced 4–2 on aggregate.
Conference finals
=Eastern Conference=
{{football box|
date = September 22, 2000
7:30 PM EST |
team1 = Toronto Lynx (ON) |
goals1 = Brian Ashton {{yel|20}}
Francisco Dos Santos {{Goal|63}}, {{yel|66}} |
goals2 = {{yel|41}} Onandi Lowe
{{Goal|75}} Dan Stebbins |
score = 1–1 |
report = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/00lynx77.htm |
team2 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
stadium = Varsity Stadium Toronto, Ontario
| attendance = 2,811
| referee = Jerry Proctor (Canada)
}}
{{football box|
date = September 24, 2000
7:30 PM EST |
team1 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
goals1 = Tim Hardy {{yel|33}}
Craig Demmin {{Goal|80}} |
goals2 = {{yel|11}} Brian Ashton|
score = 1–0 |
report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/136914250/?terms=Rhinos |
team2 = Toronto Lynx (ON) |
stadium = Frontier Field Rochester, New York
| attendance = 8,058
| referee =
}}
=Western Conference=
{{football box|
date = September 21, 2000
7:30 PM EST |
team1 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI) |
goals1 = Todd Dusosky {{Goal|23}}, {{sent off|0|90}}
Yuri Lavrinenko {{Goal|51}}
David Marshall {{Goal|90}}
Jason Willan {{sent off|0|90}}
Jon Cantwell {{sent off|0|90}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|9||41}} Morgan Zeba
{{Goal|57}} Johnny Menyongar
{{Goal|64}} John Coughlin |
score = 3–4 |
report = |
team2 = Minnesota Thunder (MI) |
stadium = Uihlein Soccer Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
attendance = 1,187 |
referee =
}}
{{football box|
date = September 23, 2000
7:30 PM EST |
team1 = Minnesota Thunder (MI) |
goals1 = Johnny Menyongar {{Goal|15||89}}, {{yel|67}}
Chugger Adair {{Goal|45||62}}
Stoian Mladenov {{Goal|74}} |
goals2 = {{yel|18}} Brian Loftin
{{yel|51}} Nate Houser |
score = 5–0 |
report = http://www.uslfans.com/game_reports/2000/minnesota_barnes_09232000.shtml |
team2 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI) |
stadium = National Sports Center, Blaine, Minnesota
| attendance = 3,414
| referee = Terry Vaughan (USA)
}}
Final
{{football box|
date = September 30, 2000 |
team1 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
goals1 = Dan Stebbins {{Goal|13:55}}
Carlos Zavala {{yel|15}}
Yari Allnutt {{Goal|38:00}}
Martin Nash {{yel|77}}
Onandi Lowe {{Goal|77:10}} |
goals2 = {{yel|63}} John Coughlin
{{yel|76}} Morgan Zeba
{{Goal|78:12}} Chugger Adair
{{yel|81}} Don Gramenz |
score = 3–1 |
report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/136477653/?terms=Rhinos|
team2 = Minnesota Thunder (MI) |
stadium = Frontier Field Rochester, New York
| attendance = 14,276
| referee = Ricardo Salazar (USA)
}}
Points leaders
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Scorer !Club !GP !Goals !Assists !Points |
|---|
| rowspan=2 align=center|1
|align=center|21 |align=center|16 |align=center|10 |align=center|42 |
| Paul Conway
|align=center|26 |align=center|17 |align=center|8 |align=center|42 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|3
|align=center|27 |align=center|17 |align=center|7 |align=center|41 |
| Darren Sawatzky
|align=center|28 |align=center|16 |align=center|9 |align=center|41 |
| align=center|5
|align=center|28 |align=center|17 |align=center|3 |align=center|39 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|6
|align=center|26 |align=center|16 |align=center|5 |align=center|37 |
| Gregory Simmonds
|align=center|25 |align=center|16 |align=center|5 |align=center|37 |
| align=center|8
|align=center|23 |align=center|15 |align=center|5 |align=center|35 |
| align=center|9
|align=center|23 |align=center|15 |align=center|4 |align=center|34 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|10
|align=center|22 |align=center|14 |align=center|5 |align=center|33 |
| Ignace Moleka
|align=center|28 |align=center|14 |align=center|5 |align=center|33 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|12
|align=center|28 |align=center|15 |align=center|2 |align=center|32 |
| Darren Tilley
|align=center|13 |align=center|12 |align=center|6 |align=center|30 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|14
|align=center|28 |align=center|14 |align=center|1 |align=center|29 |
| Jason Boyce
|align=center|24 |align=center|11 |align=center|7 |align=center|29 |
| align=center|15
|align=center|28 |align=center|13 |align=center|2 |align=center|28 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|16
|align=center|24 |align=center|12 |align=center|3 |align=center|27 |
| Mac Cozier
|align=center|24 |align=center|11 |align=center|5 |align=center|27 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|18
|align=center|26 |align=center|11 |align=center|4 |align=center|26 |
| David Flavius
|align=center|25 |align=center|11 |align=center|4 |align=center|26 |
Honors
- MVP: Digital Takawira
- Goals Leaders (tied): Paul Conway, Greg Howes, Johnny Menyongar
- Goalkeeper of the Year: Scott Vallow
- Defender of the Year: Scott Cannon
- Rookie of the Year: Greg Howes
- Coach of the Year: Neil Megson
- First Team All A-League
- Goalkeeper: Scott Vallow
- Defenders: Chris Fox, Craig Demmin, Scott Cannon, Scott Schweitzer
- Midfielders: Brian Loftin, Yari Allnutt, Stoian Mladenov
- Forwards: Paul Conway, Darren Sawatzky, Digital Takawira
- Second Team All A-League
- Goalkeeper: Theo Zagar
- Defenders: Gilbert Jean-Baptiste, Adrian Serioux, David Banks, Rick Titus
- Midfielders: Lenin Steenkamp, Gerry Lucey, Martin Nash
- Forwards: Dwayne DeRosario, Johnny Menyongar, Greg Howes
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20161229171519/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/2000.html#aleague The Year in American Soccer - 2000]
- [http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/2000/results00d.htm#playoffs A-League playoff results]
{{USL seasons|defunct}}
{{USSF D2 soccer seasons}}
{{Canada D2 soccer seasons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:A-League 2000}}