First-Team All-Conference USA F: Simon Bird, Louisville F: Chris Lee, Marquette F: Vedad Ibisevic, Saint Louis MF: Tim Brown, Cincinnati MF: Josh Gardner, Cincinnati MF: Leandro de Oliveira, UAB MF: Marin Pusek, UAB D: Adrian Cann, Louisville D: Nick Gannon, Saint Louis D: Tony McManus, UAB GK: Brad Sokolowski, Louisville Second-Team All-Conference USA F: Will John, Saint Louis F: Andy Metcalf, Memphis F: Mira Mupier, Charlotte MF: John DiRaimondo, Saint Louis MF: Brian Grazier, Saint Louis MF: Floyd Franks, Charlotte MF: Dayton O’Brien, Memphis D: Brandon Dobbs, Cincinnati D: Anders Cedergren, Cincinnati D: Andy Pusateri, Saint Louis GK: Martin Hutton, Saint Louis Third-Team All-Conference USA F: Jerson Monteiro, UAB F: Hunter West, USF F: Derek Guiterrez, Marquette MF: Clyde Simms, East Carolina MF: Keeron Benito, USF MF: Cooper McKee, Saint Louis MF: Nnamdi Ngwe, UAB D: Graham Gibbs, Memphis D: Joe Lampert, Charlotte D: Matt Neely, Louisville GK: John Adams, Cincinnati All-Freshman (No position restriction) Vedad Ibisevic, Saint Louis John DiRaimondo, Saint Louis Will John, Saint Louis Brian Grazier, Saint Louis Marco Terminesi, Louisville Sam Miller, Cincinnati Chris Arnold, Charlotte Jerson Monteiro, UAB Keeron Benito, USF Nathan Sabich, Marquette Kareem Smith, USF Freshman of the Year Vedad Ibisevic, Saint Louis Co-Defensive Player of the Year Adrian Cann, Louisville Tony McManus, UAB Player of the Year Simon Bird, Louisville Coach of the Year Hylton Dayes, Cincinnati What can anyone tell me about Simon Bird. Also, it's nice to see a coach of color doing well and getting recognized. We need more of that in American soccer.
Simon Bird is a classic British style "Target Forward". Very powerful in the air and on the ball. Strong shot. Plays a lot of post up, back to the goal, holding the ball, laying the ball off to support runners. Simon will get a look from MLS and most probably will end up being an A League top performer.
Simon has had a great year this year, and a great career overall, actually. Since the previous post described his playing style and abilities, I'll give you a few stats. He scored 12 goals this year, including 3 game-winners, and now has 29 for his career. Its just a shame that Adrian Cann was out due to eligibility questions, or the team probably could have posted 2 or 3 more wins than they did. Now, with the first-round loss to UAB in the tourney, it looks like his college career is over.