USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 11 of the season on Tuesday, with the Harrisburg City Islanders’ Nick Noble earning Player of the Week honors after helping his side earn victories in both of its contests this weekend in the Carolinas. Noble made key saves in both the City Islanders’ wins against Charleston and Charlotte as they moved into second place in the USL PRO standings.
Noble, who has played every minute for the City Islanders this season, helped Harrisburg stay in the game early against Charleston as he made a pair of good saves in the first half on Friday night. He then marshaled his defense well as the City Islanders protected a lead for the final 35 minutes, with the Battery mustering only three shots in the final 45 minutes.
The former Chicago Fire goalkeeper’s job was made easier by fellow Team of the Week selection Aaron Wheeler’s performance on Saturday as the City Islanders took an early 3-0 lead through the loanee from the Philadelphia Union’s pair of goals. He was called upon to make a key save in the second half, however, pushing a shot by Stephen Okai onto the post to record his third shutout of the season. Noble’s seven wins lead USL PRO, while his two strong performances evened his goals-against average for the season as he has now conceded 10 goals in 10 games.
Harrisburg’s Stephen Basso was the third member of the team to be honored on the Team of the Week, after he added the game-winning goal against the Battery to a pair of solid defensive displays. Also selected on the Team of the Week defense was Pittsburgh’s Rich Costanzo, who had a consistent performance as the Riverhounds shut out Rochester 3-0. Los Angeles’ Duach Jock was selected after helping the Blues earn two draw on their trip to the east coast, while Richmond’s William Yomby was named after leading Richmond to a shutout victory against Phoenix.
The Kickers’ Nate Robinson also earned selection after his standout game-winning goal against the Wolves allowed Richmond to remain undefeated nine games into the regular season. Wilmington’s Daniel Roberts, who scored the game-winning goal - and his first for the Hammerheads - in his side’s victory against Phoenix was also selected, as was Tyler Rosenlund, who was influential in Rochester’s rally to earn a 2-2 draw with Los Angeles.
Joining Wheeler in attack were Tampa Bay’s Andriy Budnyy, who scored a pair of goals as VSI took a 4-4 draw with the Portland Timbers Reserves, and Pittsburgh’s Jose Angulo, who had a goal and an assist in the Riverhounds’ victory against Rochester.
The USL PRO season continues on Wednesday night as the Harrisburg City Islanders try to maintain their winning streak as they return home to the Skyline Sports Complex to host the Wilmington hammerheads at 7 p.m. ET. Also that night, the Charleston Battery and Charlotte Eagles meet at Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET with both teams looking to bounce back from defeat during the weekend.
Friday night brings four contests, including a pair of interleague games in Pittsburgh and Rochester. One of the most storied rivalries in USL history resumes as the Montreal Impact Reserves visit Sahlen’s Stadium to face the Rhinos at 7:35 p.m. ET, while the Pittsburgh Riverhounds host the Toronto FC Reserves at 7 p.m. ET Highmark Stadium. Florida also hosts two games, with Phoenix FC visiting Orlando City and Antigua Barracuda FC visiting VSI Tampa Bay FC, both games kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Interleague action continues on Saturday night as the Houston Dynamo Reserves visit the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Battery having taken a 1-0 win in the return fixture two weeks ago. The Colorado Rapids Reserves also visit the Harrisburg City Islanders at 7 p.m. ET, while the Dayton Dutch Lions host the Columbus Crew Reserves at 7:30 p.m. ET. Also on Saturday night, the Wilmington Hammerheads visit the Richmond Kickers in a rematch from the last two USL PRO postseasons at City Stadium at 7 p.m. ET.
Sunday sees more action in Florida, with Phoenix completing its trip to the Sunshine State by visiting VSI Tampa Bay FC at 7 p.m. ET, and Antigua Barracuda FC facing Orlando City at 7:30 p.m. ET. 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 | Conceded one goal in two games as City Islanders moved into second |
| D | Duach Jock | Los Angeles | Made a positive impact as Blues took two draws on the road |
| D | Rich Costanzo | Pittsburgh | Helped keep Rhinos in check as Riverhounds claimed victory |
| D | Stephen Basso | Harrisburg | Had game-winning goal as City Islanders defeated Battery |
| D | William Yomby | Richmond | Consistent performance helped Kickers earn shutout against Phoenix |
| M | Tyler Rosenlund | Rochester | Was industrious in midfield, had assist as Rhinos drew with Blues |
| M | Nate Robinson | Richmond | Had second consecutive game-winning goal as Kickers beat Wolves |
| M | Daniel Roberts | Wilmington | First goal for Hammerheads was a game-winner against Phoenix |
| F | Jose Angulo | Pittsburgh | Goal and assist led Riverhounds attack against Rochester |
| F | Aaron Wheeler | Harrisburg | Two goals played key role in City Islanders’ win in Charlotte |
| F | Andriy Budnyy | Tampa Bay | Scored twice as VSI took point against Portland Timbers Reserves |
Honorable Mention: Charleston – Ben Fisk, Michael Azira; Dayton – Greg Preciado; Harrisburg – Cristhian Hernandez, Jason Pelletier; Los Angeles – Chris Cortez, George Davis IV; Pittsburgh –Jhonny Arteaga, Hunter Gilstrap; Phoenix – Donny Toia, Devon Grousis; Richmond –Ryan Jones, Luke Vercollone; Rochester – Blake Brettschneider, Danny Earls; Tampa Bay – Shawn Chin, Douglas Dos Santos; Wilmington – Jamel Wallace, Uriah Bentick.