Worra finding success in MLS
On a more important front, all four have found success this season in the highest level of pro soccer in the country, as Lancaster Mennonite grad Keegan Rosenberry, Manheim Township’s Zarek Valentin and Warwick’s Andrew Wenger are full-time starters while Hempfield’s Travis Worra proved his worth in 11 starts earlier this season.
From their humble beginnings in Lancaster, when Worra played with Wenger’s brother against Rosenberry, to their careers as pros, when Valentin and Wenger roomed together while teammates in Montreal, each has had a unique and sometimes difficult journey to get to this point.
Has played every minute of every game, starting in all 19; one goal, 11 shots, four shots on goal; Philadelphia defense has held opponents to 1.37 goals per game 3 overall pick of this year’s MLS draft, the Union defender has played so well in his first year as a pro that he was recently voted to this year’s All-Star game (to be played July 31 in San Jose).
18 games, 16 starts; tied for the team lead in goals (four) and shots on goal (13); two assists; second on the team in total shots (29) So he didn’t reveal too much when chatting about his career over the phone recently, even when asked in a few different ways if he feels like he’s finally found his footing in a solid 2016 campaign after struggling in his first four years as a pro, and how much living up to the hype of being the first overall pick of the 2012 MLS draft might have played a factor in those earlier difficulties.
While the last-place Dynamo (4-9-6 through July 17) are still looking for more wins, Wenger’s four goals contributed to Houston’s 1.39 goals per game average through the first 18 games, the sixth-best scoring mark in the 20-team league.
An SB Nation Dynamo blogger offered this analysis of Wenger in April: “You don’t see outside midfielders who have the stamina and determination that Wenger has very often” as Wenger “will constantly track back on defense and steal the ball away from opponents initiating counter-attacks or keeping possession for the Dynamo and does a good job when tasked with defending one-on-one.
2016 stats (through July 15): 16 games, 15 starts; three shots, two on goal, Portland defense has held opponents to 1.5 goals per game through July 15 The time away, and now being a sixth-year pro, has led him to mature in a sense, allowing him to enjoy the game a lot more this season with the defending MLS champion Timbers (7-6-8 through July 17), who have turned things around after injuries led to a slow start – and Valentin seeing action at multiple positions.