USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 13 of the season on Tuesday, with Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nicht earning Player of the Week honors after conceding just once in two games as the Rhinos took four points from the weekend’s action. Nicht, the 2012 USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year, played a key role in both the Rhinos’ victory against Tampa Bay and a draw with Charleston.
Nicht put in a standout performance in the Rhinos’ 3-0 win against VSI Tampa Bay FC on Friday night, recording a five-save shutout to help his side take its second win of the season. Nicht made three second-half saves and commanded his penalty area well as VSI outshot Rochester 17-8 for the night, only to be denied. The 6-foot-5 German continued his outstanding form on Sunday, making five second-half saves to preserve a 1-1 draw with the Charleston Battery.
Joining Nicht in the Team of the Week is his teammate Tam McManus, who had a goal and an assist in the Rhinos’ victory against Tampa Bay. The Scottish forward made good runs throughout the game, and scored his third goal of the season in the 53rd minute to give Rochester a two-goal cushion. McManus then set up Blake Brettschneider for the Rhinos’ third goal, which capped a fine performance.
Joining McManus in the Team of the Week attack is Los Angeles’ Chris Cortez, who had a big impact as a substitute for the Blues as he scored the game-tying goal in a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy Reserves. Jose Angulo also earned a place as he scored the equalizer in a 1-1 draw with the Charleston Battery.
The Battery’s goal scorer in that contest, Jose Cuevas, leads the midfield selections, with his beautiful curling shot one of the standout moments of the weekend’s action. He is joined by Wilmington’s Daniel Steres, who scored the only goal as the Hammerheads defeated the New York Red Bulls Reserves, and Richmond’s Brian Ownby, whose two goals led the Kickers past Antigua on Friday night. Dayton’s Joel DeLass completes the quartet after a strong two-way performance in the Dutch Lions’ 2-1 win against Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Charlotte’s Ben Newnam leads a trio of defenders that complete the team, with the rookie scoring the game-winning goal – his first as a professional – against the Chicago Fire Reserves. Harrisburg’s Stephen Basso also earned selection after a good performance in a 3-1 win against Antigua, as does Phoenix’s Devon Grousis, who featured strongly in the Wolves’ 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake Reserves.
The USL PRO season continues with four games on Friday night with the renewal of the Keystone Derby as the Harrisburg City Islanders host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Skyline Sports Complex at 7 p.m. ET. Also on Friday, the Charlotte Eagles host VSI Tampa Bay FC at Queens Sports Complex at 7 p.m. ET, while the Rochester Rhinos host Antigua Barracuda FC at 7:35 p.m. ET at Sahlen’s Stadium. The Dayton Dutch Lions and Phoenix FC cap the night’s action at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Saturday night sees interleague action, with the Richmond Kickers playing host to the Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves at 7 p.m. at City Stadium. Tampa Bay completes its trip to the Carolinas with a visit to the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET, while Charlotte moves on to face the Wilmington Hammerheads at Legion Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The weekend concludes on Sunday, with Antigua Barracuda FC visiting the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium at 3 p.m. ET, and the Los Angeles Blues hosting the Dayton Dutch Lions at 7 p.m. ET at Titan 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 | Kristian Nicht | Rochester | Made 10 saves in two games as Rhinos claimed four points |
| D | Devon Grousis | Phoenix | Played key role in Wolves’ 0-0 draw against RSL Reserves |
| D | Stephen Basso | Harrisburg | Solid defensively, also had impact getting up flank against Antigua |
| D | Ben Newnam | Charlotte | Had game-winning goal in comeback victory against Chicago Reserves |
| M | Daniel Steres | Wilmington | Scored only goal as Hammerheads defeated Red Bulls Reserves |
| M | Brian Ownby | Richmond | Two goals led Kickers to victory against Antigua |
| M | Jose Cuevas | Charleston | Standout strike helped Charleston earn draw in Pittsburgh |
| M | Joel DeLass | Dayton | Strong two-way game helped Dutch Lions defeat Tampa Bay |
| F | Chris Cortez | Los Angeles | Had late game-tying goal in Blues’ 1-1 draw with Galaxy Reserves |
| F | Tam McManus | Rochester | Had a goal and assist as Rhinos defeated Tampa Bay 3-0 |
| F | Jose Angulo | Pittsburgh | Seventh goal of season earned Riverhounds a point with Battery |
Honorable Mention: Antigua – Orlando Mitchum, Eugine Kirwan; Charleston – Shawn Ferguson, Odisnel Cooper; Charlotte – Christian Ramirez, Nate Thornton; Dayton – Tjeerd Westdijk, Matt Williams; Harrisburg – Morgan Langley, Yann Ekra; Los Angeles – Rodrigo Lopez, Mohammad Mohammadi; Phoenix – Donny Toia; Pittsburgh – Matt Dallman, Sterling Flunder; Richmond – Jason Yeisley, William Yomby; Rochester – Blake Brettschneider, Tyler Rosenlund; Tampa Bay – J.T. Noone; Wilmington – Troy Hernandez, Gareth Evans.