VOA标准英语2011--Young African Striker Danny Mwanga Excel

Young African Striker Danny Mwanga Excels in MLS

Striker Danny Mwanga, 20, is reaching his potential with Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union. Mwanga is second on the team in goals with five and ranks in the top 10 in MLS in combined goals and assists. He is a key reason why Philadelphia - in only its second season - is in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
High Expectations
Success for Danny Mwanga was expected when he was picked first overall in the 2010 MLS Draft. The then teenager from the Democratic Republic of Congo was the Union's first-ever draft pick and so far is making the team's scouting¹ department look like savvy² professionals.
As anticipated, the former Oregon State University All-American has carried his collegiate success to the professional level. Mwanga had seven goals last year in his first professional season and already has five in the 2011 campaign. After recording⁴ only one assist in his first seven appearances this season, the striker has had five goals and two assists in his last 10 matches. The hot streak⁵ has vaulted⁶ him among the league's leading scorers this season.
"I was just trying to do even better than I did last year," said Mwanga. "For a rookie [in] my first year, I think I did good, and a lot of people told me I did good. But at the same time, for me personally, I knew I could do better, and I know that I can still do a lot better than I am doing now. So just looking at the last year, I just wanted to improve on that year and do even better than I did last year. I think that was kind of like motivation for me coming into this season."
Transition to Pro³
Mwanga's growth as a player from the college to the professional ranks has been remarkable⁷. The former Pac 10 Conference Player of the Year while at Oregon State has become a scoring threat who does not shy away from big moments. And the coaching staff and veteran leadership in Philadelphia have done wonders for his game.
"Yeah, they've helped me a lot," Mwanga added. "Obviously as a young player there are games where things don't really go your way. Sometimes you just tend to - you know - just put your head down and kind of get discouraged, but those are the times that the coaching staff did a good job trying to keep your heads in the game and trying to be focused. And then some veterans as well do the same thing. Even if they are not really going to tell you what to do, by just watching what they are doing, you know, watching their mentality⁸ during games week in and week out. Just watching what they are doing and looking at what they are doing is helping⁹ me a lot."
Union head coach Peter Nowak says Mwanga has performed well considering the high expectations.
"I think there was never a question of his form, there was always a question as what we need as a team from the moment. He's the guy that can change the game completely from one minute to another. I think as a young player you always get some, you know, especially after the season he had last year, that you have some pressure on your shoulders that he needs to handle. In some capacity those expectations, you know, it's difficult for them to handle it. So I think it's important right now for him to just recognize that, you know, listen, sometimes these games are hard and I'm not going to score. It doesn't really matter," Nowak said.
The success that Danny Mwanga has carried over from his rookie season is all the sweeter now that the Union is among the league's best teams.
"Yeah, it's a lot of fun. I mean, last year I was scoring a couple goals and the team wasn't doing so good. But this year, it's not just about me and [Sebastien] le Toux. You can see the whole offense¹⁰ is doing great," Mwanga noted¹¹. "Everyone is contributing in the team's success, and then on top of that, we're sitting at the very top of the Eastern Conference. So I think it's a great season so far and I'm really enjoying it. Right now I'm just trying to work even harder and harder. I'm trying to get better to help the team do even better than we are doing right now."
After the mid-season break for the MLS All-Star game, the Philadelphia Union and its Congolese striker Danny Mwanga are hoping to continue their success when they resume their MLS season July 29 against the Chicago Fire.

1 scouting   

守候活动，童子军的活动

参考例句：

• I have people scouting the hills already. 我已经让人搜过那些山了。
• Perhaps also from the Gospel it passed into the tradition of scouting. 也许又从《福音书》传入守望的传统。 来自演讲部分

2 savvy   

v.知道，了解；n.理解能力，机智，悟性；adj.有见识的，懂实际知识的，通情达理的

参考例句：

• She was a pretty savvy woman.她是个见过世面的漂亮女人。
• Where's your savvy?你的常识到哪里去了？

3 pro   

n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者

参考例句：

• The two debating teams argued the question pro and con.辩论的两组从赞成与反对两方面辩这一问题。
• Are you pro or con nuclear disarmament?你是赞成还是反对核裁军？

4 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

5 streak   

n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动

参考例句：

• The Indians used to streak their faces with paint.印第安人过去常用颜料在脸上涂条纹。
• Why did you streak the tree?你为什么在树上刻条纹？

6 vaulted   

adj.拱状的

参考例句：

• She vaulted over the gate and ran up the path. 她用手一撑跃过栅栏门沿着小路跑去。
• The formal living room has a fireplace and vaulted ceilings. 正式的客厅有一个壁炉和拱形天花板。

7 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

8 mentality   

n.心理，思想，脑力

参考例句：

• He has many years'experience of the criminal mentality.他研究犯罪心理有多年经验。
• Running a business requires a very different mentality from being a salaried employee.经营企业所要求具备的心态和上班族的心态截然不同。

9 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

10 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

11 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。