USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 16 of the season on Tuesday, with Wilmington Hammerheads midfielder Daniel Steres earning Player of the Week honors after scoring three goals in two games as the Hammerheads took four points from two of the top three teams in USL PRO to remain in contention for the playoffs.
Steres, a former player for the PDL’s Ventura County Fusion, helped his side earn a 2-2 draw with Orlando City last Wednesday night as he opened the scoring from close range after good work by Kyle Greig. The midfielder then converted from the penalty spot with nine minutes to go to earn Wilmington a point after Orlando had rallied to take the lead in the second half.
Steres also scored the opening goal in the Hammerheads’ 2-1 win against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday night, as his powerful header off Tom Parratt’s corner kick found the underside of the crossbar and went in. Steres is joined on the Team of the Week by Bryce Taylor, who had a standout performance against the City Islanders, and provided a fine cross for Cody Arnoux to score a stoppage-time game-winner that moved the Hammerheads within three points of the playoff positions.
Charlotte’s Jorge Herrera joined Steres and Taylor in the Team of the Week midfield after leading the Eagles in a successful trip to the Northeast that saw them move into fourth place in the standings. Herrera scored in both a 3-2 win against Pittsburgh and a 2-2 draw with Rochester as he moved into a tie for the team lead with five goals. Goalkeeper Eric Reed was also named after he recorded nine saves, a number of them outstanding, to help the Eagles defeat the Riverhounds.
Los Angeles’ Matt Fondy leads the Team of the Week attack after a week that saw him score three goals in his first two games back with the Blues, including a late game-winner against Pittsburgh on Saturday night. He is joined by Dayton’s Gibson Bardsley, who had a goal and two assists in the Dutch Lions’ 3-1 win against Rochester, and Phoenix’s Diego Faria, who had the game-winning goal in the Wolves first win since April on Saturday night.
Richmond’s Luke Vercollone led the defensive trio after he scored twice in the Kickers’ 3-2 win against Dayton on Saturday, and he is joined by Los Angeles’ Duach Jock, who had the equalizer and played solidly in the Blues’ win against Pittsburgh. Orlando’s Rob Valentino completes the trio after giving the Lions the lead in their 1-1 draw against Charleston, while the Battery’s Michael Azira was also named after a strong all-around performance against the Lions.
The USL PRO season continues Wednesday night as the Harrisburg City Islanders host the Los Angeles Blues at Skyline Sports Complex at 7 p.m. ET, and the Dayton Dutch Lions complete their interleague series with the Columbus Crew Reserves at Crew Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET.
On Thursday night, Orlando City returns home to host the Charleston Battery for the back end of the home-and-home series between the two clubs, while out west Phoenix FC hosts Antigua Barracuda FC at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Richmond Kickers visit the Rochester Rhinos on Friday night at Sahlen’s Stadium for the opening game of their weekend trip, which continues on Saturday in Harrisburg against the City Islanders.
Also on Saturday, the Charlotte Eagles host the Wilmington Hammerheads in a big clash between the two intra-state rivals, while VSI Tampa Bay FC returns to action as it hosts the Charleston Battery. Saturday night concludes with the Los Angeles Blues hosting Antigua Barracuda FC at Titan Stadium, while Sunday sees the Dayton Dutch Lions host Orlando City to cap an exciting weekend of action at Beavercreek 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 | Eric Reed | Charlotte | Standout performance helped Eagles past Riverhounds |
| D | Luke Vercollone | Richmond | Scored twice as Kickers remained undefeated |
| D | Rob Valentino | Orlando | Had the opening goal in the Lions’ draw with Charleston |
| D | Duach Jock | Los Angeles | Scored the equalizer as the Blues rallied past Pittsburgh |
| M | Daniel Steres | Wilmington | Had three goals in two critical games for Hammerheads |
| M | Michael Azira | Charleston | Was influential at either end in draw with Orlando |
| M | Jorge Herrera | Charlotte | Pair of goals kept Charlotte moving up the standings |
| M | Bryce Taylor | Wilmington | Strong work-rate, and had assist on winner vs. Harrisburg |
| F | Diego Faria | Phoenix | Had game-winner as Wolves broke their winless streak |
| F | Matt Fondy | Los Angeles | Three goals in first two games back with the Blues |
| F | Gibson Bardsley | Dayton | Had a goal, two assists as Dutch Lions solidified position |
Honorable Mention: Antigua – Tamorley Thomas; Charleston – Heviel Cordoves, Jose Cuevas; Charlotte – Nate Thornton, Christian Ramirez; Dayton – Tjeerd Westdijk, Eli Garner; Harrisburg – Sainey Touray; Los Angeles – Chris Cortez, Rodrigo Lopez; Orlando – Jon Kempin, Jamie Watson; Phoenix – Anthony Obodai, Scott Morrison; Pittsburgh – Matt Dallman, Jose Angulo; Richmond – Michael Seaton; Rochester – Andrew Hoxie, Tam McManus; Wilmington – Cody Arnoux, Shawn Nicklaw.