USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week Seven of the season on Tuesday, with Orlando City forward Dom Dwyer earning Player of the Week honors after recording a hat trick in the Lions’ 7-2 victory against Antigua Barracuda FC on Saturday night. The three goals moved Dwyer, on loan from Sporting Kansas City, to a league-best eight for the season.
Dwyer had been on a run of form entering Saturday’s contest, having scored four goals in the previous four games, and got the scoring going early against the Barracudas. Dwyer finished a cross from Jamie Watson in the opening minute as Orlando jumped out to a quick lead.
The former University of South Florida All-American added a second in the 17th minute, capitalizing on a turnover as he claimed possession near the Antigua penalty area and shot home. He completed a first-half hat trick with another header, putting home Luke Boden’s corner kick.
Dwyer’s teammate Rob Valentino was also named to the Team of the Week after putting in a solid defensive performance and adding a goal early in the second half before being removed from the game in the 55th minute. Joining Valentino in the Team of Week’s back four was Charlotte’s Sean Francis, who came close to earning the Eagles a victory in Richmond with a fine goal in their 3-3 draw on Saturday night.
Pittsburgh’s Andrew Marshall was also selected after a pair of strong performances for the Riverhounds. Marshall scored the equalizer as Pittsburgh took a 1-1 draw with Phoenix on Friday night, and then was excellent as the Riverhounds earned another point from a 0-0 draw with the Los Angeles Blues on Sunday. Marshall’s former teammate for the Harrisburg City Islanders, Nick Noble, earned the goalkeeper selection after recording 12 saves in a pair of strong performances, including a shutout of Rochester on Saturday night in a 1-0 victory.
Charleston’s Colin Falvey completed the defensive quartet after putting in a pair of strong performances as the Battery took victories on the road against Harrisburg and Dayton. Battery Midfielder Nicki Paterson was also named after scoring a pair of goals, both of which proved to be game-winners, in the two victories.
Richmond’s Brian Ownby, on loan from the Houston Dynamo, was honored after recording a goal and an assist in the Kickers’ 3-3 draw against Charlotte. He was joined by Michael Seaton, on loan from D.C. United, who scored a goal in his professional debut on Friday night as the Kickers beat Wilmington, 2-0.
Completing the Team of the Week were Phoenix midfielder Anthony Obodai, who had a strong two-way performance in midfield for the Wolves in their 1-1 draw with Pittsburgh, and VSI Tampa Bay FC’s Mauricio Salles, who came off the bench to score twice as his side rallied for a 3-1 win against Antigua.
The 2013 USL PRO season continues tonight as the Los Angeles Blues visit the LA Galaxy Reserves at 10 p.m. ET in the first interleague meeting between the teams this season. Thursday night sees Phoenix open a weekend trip to the east coast with a visit to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium at 7 p.m. ET.
Friday night brings a pair of games, with the Antigua Barracuda visiting the Harrisburg City Islanders at Skyline Sports Complex at 7 p.m. ET, and the Rochester Rhinos travelling to face the Wilmington Hammerheads at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Saturday night sees a rematch of the 2012 USL PRO Championship Game with the Battery hosting Wilmington at 7:30 p.m. ET at Blackbaud Stadium. Elsewhere, Antigua moves on to face the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium at 7 p.m. ET, while Phoenix visits the Dayton Dutch Lions at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The weekend wraps up with a second interleague contest as Orlando City visits the Seattle Sounders Reserves at 7 p.m. ET at Cheney Stadium.
Every game of the USL PRO season can be seen on USLNation.com, with live updates also available via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+.
USL PRO Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Nick Noble | Harrisburg | 12 saves in two games, including a shutout against Rochester |
| D | Rob Valentino | Orlando | Scored from a powerful header, was impressive defensively |
| D | Colin Falvey | Charleston | Two strong defensive displays as Battery took two wins |
| D | Shaun Francis | Charlotte | Outstanding finish helped Eagles earn point in Richmond |
| D | Andrew Marshall | Pittsburgh | Two commanding performances, had goal against Phoenix |
| M | Nicki Paterson | Charleston | Scored twice, both game-winners, as Battery won twice on road |
| M | Brian Ownby | Richmond | Had a goal and assist as Kickers earned point against Charlotte |
| M | Anthony Obodai | Phoenix | Strong two-way performance as Wolves took point at home |
| F | Dom Dwyer | Orlando | First-half hat trick continued strong run of scoring form |
| F | Mauricio Salles | Tampa Bay | Scored twice off bench as VSI rallied past Barracudas |
| F | Michael Seaton | Richmond | 17-year-old scored on professional debut as Kickers took win |
Honorable Mention: Antigua – Tamorley Thomas, Hazely Pyle; Charleston – Mike Azira, Kevin Klasila; Charlotte – Christian Meza, Drew Yates; Dayton – Brandon Swartzendruber; Harrisburg – Greg Jordan, Morgan Langley; Los Angeles – Shay Spitz, Gabriel Gonzalez; Orlando – Anthony Pulis, Jamie Watson; Phoenix – Donny Toia, Renan Boufleur; Pittsburgh – Jose Angulo, Hunter Gilstrap; Richmond – Conor Shanosky, Luke Vercollone; Rochester – Lance Rozeboom, Matt Horth; Tampa Bay – J.T. Noone, Kyle Hoffer; Wilmington – Gareth Evans, Will Heaney.