USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 18 of the season on Tuesday, with Richmond Kickers midfielder Brian Ownby earning Player of the Week honors after scoring once and playing a key role as the Kickers extended their USL PRO-record undefeated streak to 19 games.
Ownby, a native of Virginia on loan from Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, has been an integral figure in the Kickers’ success this season. On Friday night he was a catalyst for the Kickers’ comeback in a 2-2 draw against Phoenix FC, and then scored the game-tying goal in a 2-1 victory against the Los Angeles Blues that saw his side move within a point of Orlando City at the top of the USL PRO standings.
Ownby is joined on the Team of the Week by teammate Shane Johnson, who had the game-tying goal in the Kickers’ 2-2 draw against Phoenix. Joining Johnson in the Team of the Week’s defense is Rochester’s Troy Roberts, who put in two solid performances as the Rhinos didn’t concede a goal in either of their contests last week. Charlotte’s Matt Gold also earned selection after the Eagles played to a 0-0 draw with Dayton, for which goalkeeper Matt Williams earned selection after a five-save shutout.
Pittsburgh also had a pair of selections along with Richmond, led by Mike Seth, who had a goal and an assist in the Riverhounds’ 2-1 win against Wilmington. He is joined by defender Andrew Marshall, who put in a pair of strong performances as the Riverhounds earned four points and moved within two of VSI Tampa Bay FC for the final place in the playoffs.
Orlando’s Jean Alexandre joined Ownby in the Team of the Week midfield after he returned from international duty at the Gold Cup, where he captained Haiti, to score twice in the Lions’ 3-1 win against Harrisburg on Saturday night. Charleston’s Nicki Paterson completed the trio after his penalty kick lifted the Battery past the Dayton Dutch Lions on Friday night.
Phoenix’s Tommy Ramos and Harrisburg’s Lucky Mkosana complete the side, with Ramos scoring both goals for the Wolves in their 2-2 draw against Richmond. Mkosana also scored twice during the weekend as he notched the game-winner for the City Islanders in their 2-0 win against VSI Tampa Bay FC on Friday night.
Stay up to date with every game from USL PRO venues in 2013 through the league’s free online streaming service, USLNation.com, and also follow the race for the playoffs via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+ for live updates from every game, every night of the season, plus news, previews and recaps of all the action.
USL PRO Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Matt Williams | Dayton | Made nine saves in two games in a pair of strong performances |
| D | Shane Johnson | Richmond | Scored the game-tying goal as Kickers rallied against Phoenix |
| D | Troy Roberts | Rochester | Stood out as Rochester held Wilmington, Impact Reserves scoreless |
| D | Andrew Marshall | Pittsburgh | Two big performances as Riverhounds remained in playoff race |
| D | Matt Gold | Charlotte | Marshalled defense well as Eagles earned draw with Dayton |
| M | Jean Alexandre | Orlando | Scored twice as Lions held onto top spot in USL PRO |
| M | Brian Ownby | Richmond | Was catalyst as Kickers took four points from two games |
| M | Nicki Paterson | Charleston | Had only goal as Battery took victory against Dutch Lions |
| F | Mike Seth | Pittsburgh | Had goal, assist off bench as Riverhounds defeated Hammerheads |
| F | Lucky Mkosana | Harrisburg | Scored twice in two games , including game-winner vs. Tampa Bay |
| F | Tommy Ramos | Phoenix | Had both goals in Wolves’ 2-2 draw with Richmond |
Honorable Mention: Charleston – Jose Cuevas, Odisnel Cooper; Charlotte – Eric Reed; Dayton – Joel DeLass, Remco Klaasse; Harrisburg – Tom Mellor, Jimmy McLaughlin; Los Angeles – Matt Fondy; Orlando – Dennis Chin, Luke Boden; Phoenix: Isaiah Schafer, Reid Schmitt; Pittsburgh – Matt Dallman, Hunter Gilstrap; Richmond – William Yomby, David Bulow; Rochester – Kristian Nicht, Tyler Bellamy; Tampa Bay – Josh Rife, Tony Donatelli; Wilmington – Kyle Greig.