USL News Release
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced the USL PRO Team of the Week of the 2011 season today, honoring Richmond Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte as Player of the Week after he scored the game-winning goal in the Kickers’ 2-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, April 9.
Delicâte scored on a volley with three minutes to go to lift the Kickers to victory. The goal was his second in as many games, and gave his side two wins out of two as they enter this Friday’s game against the Rochester Rhinos at City Stadium.
The Kickers were one of three teams to have two players named to the USL PRO Team of the Week, with defender Luke Vercollone joining Delicâte on the team.
Orlando City’s Max Griffin, who scored twice in the Lions’ 3-0 victory against F.C. New York on Saturday night, and goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo, who made six saves to record a shutout, were also named to the team. So were Charleston defender John Wilson, who had a strong performance in the Battery’s 1-0 win against the Charlotte Eagles, and forward Dane Kelly, whose play put the Eagles’ defense under pressure for most of the game.
Among the other notables selected to the side, Pittsburgh midfielder Ben Horner earned a place on the team after scoring on his professional debut in the Riverhounds’ defeat at Richmond, while Mauricio Turizo of Puerto Rico United was named after his well-taken free kick resulted in a late equalizer for PRU against Sevilla FC Puerto Rico.
USL PRO Team of the Week
Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
GK | Miguel Gallardo | Orlando City | Made six saves in 3-0 shutout of New York |
D | John Wilson | Charleston | Was dominant in shutout of Charlotte |
D | Josh Rife | Charlotte | Had strong game against good Battery attack |
D | Ryan Roushandel | Sevilla FC PR | Quality all-around game almost ended in victory |
D | Luke Vercollone | Richmond | Strong defensively, added assist on opening goal |
M | Ben Horner | Pittsburgh | Scored on professional debut for Riverhounds |
M | Owen Morrison | F.C. New York | Caused Orlando problems, strong in possession |
M | Mauricio Turizo | Puerto Rico Utd | Recorded game-tying assist, strong winning ball in midfield |
F | Matt Delicâte | Richmond | Had game-winning goal in 2-1 win vs. Pittsburgh |
F | Max Griffin | Orlando City | Scored twice in Lions’ 3-0 win against New York |
F | Dane Kelly | Charleston | Pressure was thorn in Eagles’ side, resulted in game-winning goal |