USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO announced its Team of the Week for the third week of the 2012 season today, honoring Charleston Battery midfielder Ryan Richter as Player of the Week after he scored his first professional goal and put in a commanding performance in his side’s impressive 3-0 victory against the Charlotte Eagles this past Tuesday night.
Richter and teammate Jose Cuevas helped the Battery control the game on their way to a second win of the season. The former Philadelphia Union player has three points in his first three games in USL PRO.
Orlando City’s continued strong start to the season earned a pair of players berths on the team, with goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo earning the goalkeeper slot after a standout performance that saw him lead the Lions to a 2-0 victory in Richmond. Gallardo narrowly edged out Rochester’s Kristian Nicht from taking the spot for a second consecutive week, with Nicht being an honorable mention for another standout performance against the Los Angeles Blues.
Gallardo was joined by James O’Connor, with the midfielder playing a pivotal role in turning the game in the Lions’ favor after the halftime break with his quick passing and consistent ability to win possession.
A pair of players who made their first starts this weekend were named to the team with Pittsburgh’s Seth C’deBaca scoring a goal in his first start for the Riverhounds. C’deBaca’s goal proved to be the game-winner in a 2-0 victory against Dayton, while former Penn standout Tom Brandt helped Harrisburg earn a shutout against the Wilmington Hammerheads on Saturday, completing a four-point road trip for the City Islanders.
Brandt’s teammate Andrew Welker was named to the team after scoring the City Islanders’ first goal of the season in their 2-1 win against Charlotte. His former teammate Anthony Calvano, now with Pittsburgh, was also named to the team after helping stifle Dayton’s attack in the Riverhounds’ 2-0 victory.
USL PRO Team of the Week
Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
GK | Miguel Gallardo | Orlando | Made seven saves, including a key double-stop, in Lions’ victory |
D | Anthony Calvano | Pittsburgh | Helped the Riverhounds stifle Dayton’s attack in a 2-0 win |
D | Tom Brandt | Harrisburg | Played key role in recording shutout in first professional start. |
D | Tyler Lassiter | Wilmington | Was sharp as the Hammerheads kept City Islanders off the board |
M | James O’Connor | Orlando | Pulled the strings beautifully as Lions took third consecutive win |
M | Andrew Welker | Harrisburg | Scored a goal and dominated in midfield in victory against Eagles |
M | Ryan Richter | Charleston | Continued strong early-season play with goal and assist |
M | Seth C’deBaca | Pittsburgh | Scored the game-winner in his first professional start |
M | Irving Garcia | Los Angeles | Despite loss proved continually dangerous for Blues |
F | Andrew Hoxie | Rochester | Halftime sub had major impact in Rhinos win against Blues |
F | Mauricio Salles | Charlotte | Scored beautiful free kick for Eagles’ first goal of the season |
Honorable Mention – Charleston: Kyle Hoffer, Jose Cuevas; Harrisburg: Bilal Duckett, J.T. Noone; Orlando: Matt Luzunaris, Anthony Pulis; Pittsburgh: Agustino Nunez; Richmond: Mike Callahan; Rochester: Kristian Nicht, JC Banks; Wilmington: Alex Horwath, Mark Briggs.