Join Now  | 
Home About Contact Us Privacy & Security Advertise
Soccer America Daily Special Edition Around The Net Soccer Business Insider College Soccer Reporter Youth Soccer Reporter Soccer on TV Soccer America Classifieds
Paul Gardner: SoccerTalk Soccer America Confidential Youth Soccer Insider World Cup Watch
RSS Feeds Archives Manage Subscriptions Subscribe
Order Current Issue Subscribe Manage My Subscription Renew My Subscription Gift Subscription
My Account Join Now
Tournament Calendar Camps & Academies Soccer Glossary Classifieds
Cunningham's Two-Sided Season
MLSnet.com, October 28th, 2009 4PM
Subscribe to Section 2 Around the Net


MOST READ


Jeff Cunningham's 2009 season had a bittersweet flavor. Cunningham struggled at the start, benched by FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman. He didn't score his first goal until May 31 at Chicago in his club's 11th game of the season.

After strike partner Kenny Cooper left for Germany, however, Cunningham found his scoring touch. He finished a scorching second half of the year with 16 goals in FCD's last 15 games, netting a career-high 17 strikes and a second Golden Boot. But Cunningham would have rather made the playoffs. "Right now, I must say it's bittersweet because the Golden Boot is an individual award," he said. "It's important for me, but I think there is still some disappointment for the boys. We've worked hard to get to this point and to come up short is hurtful. It's really hard for me to embrace this award wholeheartedly and fully."

Still, Cunningham considers himself blessed to see such a turnaround during a season that raised doubts about whether he wanted to play anymore. "The only thing I can say is God has been good to me," he said. "Halfway through the season, I felt like my time here was finished, my career was done and I was looking at other ventures. To be standing right here right now with the Golden Boot award, besides the day of my marriage and the birth of my child, this is up there. When I was younger, I had other accomplishments that didn't mean as much. When your career is in the balance, it means a lot more. Right now, it's the biggest achievement for me so far. It's just rewarding."

 

Read the original story...


No comments yet.

Sign in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Join Now


AUTHORS

ARCHIVES
FOLLOW SOCCERAMERICA

Recent Section 2 Around the Net
Vieira: NYCFC and Man City to Share Player Development    
When New York City FC finally takes the field as MLS's 20th team in 2015, it ...
Reports: Mourinho, Ancelotti to Move Once La Liga Ends    
According to reports in Spain and England, Real Madrid will unveil Carlo Ancelotti either on the ...
Florent Malouda: Chelsea's Costly Scapegoat    
Florent Malouda will pocket just over $6 million this year without having kicked a ball in ...
UEFA to Give UCL Spot to Europa Winner     
A new UEFA ruling will see the winner of its Europa League given an automatic berth ...
Schweinsteiger: Bayern Healthier and Better Than Last Year     
Bayern Munich is keen to shed the losers' tag it carries into Saturday's UEFA Champions League ...
Lampard: Blues Fans Had Every Right to Criticize Benitez     
Chelsea vice captain Frank Lampard, who recently inked a one-year contract extension with the club, said ...
Report: Seedorf to Replace Allegri at Milan    
Following his end-of-season meeting with AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani, Massimiliano Allegri refused to confirm ...
Neymar off to Europe after Confed Cup?    
Neymar's transfer to somewhere in Europe appears imminent. According to reports in Spain and Brazil, the ...
Pellegrini Confirms Malaga Departure    
Manchester City target Manuel Pellegrini on Wednesday has confirmed that he will leave Mlaga at the ...
Report: Holden Gets Bolton Extension     
U.S. international Stuart Holden has agreed to a new one-year deal with current club Bolton Wanderers, ...
>> Section 2 Around the Net Archives