USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 15 of the season on Tuesday, with Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra earning Player of the Week honors after recording a pair of shutouts as the Kickers remained undefeated after a weekend trip to Florida. Dykstra, on loan from D.C. United, is now tied for the league lead with six shutouts this season.
Dykstra became the first goalkeeper in USL PRO to shut out Orlando City at the Citrus Bowl as the Kickers took a 2-0 victory on Saturday night. Dykstra made four saves to record the shutout, including a pair of outstanding stops that kept the Kickers ahead in the second half while up 1-0. The following night, he continued his strong weekend as he made six saves in a scoreless draw with VSI Tampa Bay FC that moved the Kickers within two points of Orlando at the top of the USL PRO standings.
Dykstra was joined on the Team of the Week by teammates Joseph Ngwenya and Michael Seaton, who combined for what proved to be the game-winning goal in the Kickers’ win against Orlando. Ngwenya put in a strong performance in the center of midfield for the Kickers, helping his side control possession and break on the attack. His well-weighted pass sprang Seaton behind the Lions’ back four as he was able to score his third goal of the season with a fine low finish.
Joining Seaton in the Team of the Week attack is Harrisburg’s Sainey Touray, who had the game-winning goal as the City Islanders defeated Phoenix 2-1, and Wilmington’s Steven Perry, whose 88th-minute goal gave the Hammerheads a 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls Reserves.
New Wilmington signing Mickael Oliveira is also named to the Team of the Week after he began the Hammerheads’ comeback with a fine long-range strike against New York. He is joined in the midfield by Charlotte’s Jorge Herrera, who had a goal and an assist in the Eagles’ 2-2 draw with Dayton, and Phoenix’s Obodai, who helped the Wolves earn a scoreless draw with the Rochester Rhinos.
Dayton’s Shane Smith leads a trio of defenders after his 85th-minute goal earned the Dutch Lions a point against Charlotte on Friday night, and he is joined by Charlotte’s Shaun Francis, who scored the game-winning goal for the Eagles in their win against the Chicago Fire Reserves. VSI Tampa Bay FC’s Alex Freitas, who was impressive at both ends in his side’s scoreless draw with Richmond, rounds out the selections.
The USL PRO season continues Wednesday night as the Wilmington Hammerheads host Orlando City at Legion Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. Thursday brings a Fourth of July tripleheader, with the Dayton Dutch Lions and Rochester Rhinos leading off the day at 1 p.m. ET at Dayton’s Beavercreek Stadium. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds then host the Charlotte Eagles at Highmark Stadium at 7 p.m. ET, with Antigua Barracuda FC’s visit to the Los Angeles Blues rounding out the night at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Friday night brings one of the marquee matches of the season as defending USL PRO champion the Charleston Battery hosts 2011 champion Orlando City at Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. Then on Saturday night, five games round out the holiday weekend, with the Richmond Kickers visiting the Dayton Dutch Lions looking to continue their undefeated run through the season at 7:30 p.m. Also slated for Saturday on the east coast is a visit by the Los Angeles Blues to Pittsburgh, the Rochester Rhinos hosting the Charlotte Eagles at Sahlen’s Stadium, and the Wilmington Hammerheads welcoming the Harrisburg City Islanders to Legion Stadium. The night is capped by Phoenix’s FC’s return to Sun Devil Soccer Stadium as they host Antigua Barracuda FC.
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 | Andrew Dykstra | Richmond | Two shutouts allowed Kickers to remain undefeated |
| D | Shane Smith | Dayton | Had game-tying goal for Dutch Lions against Charlotte |
| D | Shaun Francis | Charlotte | Scored winning goal as Eagles defeated Fire Reserves |
| D | Alex Freitas | Tampa Bay | Was strong in both attack and defense against Kickers |
| M | Mickael Oliveira | Wilmington | Tying goal sparked Hammerheads’ comeback in New York |
| M | Joseph Ngwenya | Richmond | Made a difference in midfield as Kickers defeated Orlando |
| M | Jorge Herrera | Charlotte | Had a goal and assist as Eagles took draw in Dayton |
| M | Anthony Obodai | Phoenix | Played well in the center as Phoenix drew with Rochester |
| F | Steven Perry | Wilmington | Late game-winner lifted Hammerheads past New York |
| F | Sainey Touray | Harrisburg | Scored the winning goal as City Islanders downed Phoenix |
| F | Michael Seaton | Richmond | Game-winning goal capped performance against Lions |
Honorable Mention: Charlotte – Christian Meza, Stephen Okai; Dayton – Joel DeLass; Harrisburg – Tom Mellor, Yann Ekra; Orlando – Bryan Burke; Phoenix – Reid Schmitt, Sheldon Parkinson; Richmond –Brian Ownby, Phillipe Davies; Rochester – Kristian Nicht; Tampa Bay – Alex Horwath, Darren Toby; Wilmington – Troy Hernandez, Bryce Taylor.