USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 20 of the season on Tuesday, with Pittsburgh Riverhounds defender Rich Costanzo earning Player of the Week honors after leading his side to a pair of victories in Florida. The Riverhounds captain had the game-winning goal in a win against VSI Tampa Bay FC, and then played the full 90 minutes as Pittsburgh shut out Orlando City to put itself firmly in the middle of the USL PRO playoff picture.
Needing a win to move even with Tampa Bay on Friday night, Pittsburgh trailed at halftime, but came out with a renewed energy to start the second half. It was rewarded with an equalizer in the 54th minute through Robert Vincent. Costanzo then gave his side the lead, making a strong run through the midfield before making his way into the right side of the penalty area and slotting his finish into the left corner of the net.
Costanzo also put in a strong performance on Saturday night as the Riverhounds took a 1-0 victory against Orlando City, which marked a second consecutive shutout of the Lions by Pittsburgh. Michael Green also put in a strong performance for the Riverhounds, and joined Costanzo on the Team of the Week for his efforts.
Wilmington and Harrisburg also had two players selected to the Team of the Week, with the Hammerheads’ Kyle Greig and Phil Tuttle both earning selection after a pair of victories to keep their playoff hopes alive. Greig scored in both of Wilmington’s victories against Charleston and Dayton, while Tuttle had a six-save shutout as the Hammerheads edged the Dutch Lions 1-0.
Harrisburg’s Lucky Mkosana earned a berth on the Team of the Week for the third consecutive week as he extended his goal-scoring streak to five games. Mkosana scored in both the City Islanders’ 3-1 win against Phoenix Wednesday night, and also in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Los Angeles. He is joined by Matt Bahner, who scored his first professional goal in Harrisburg’s win against the Wolves.
Los Angeles’ Matt Fondy completed the attacking trio on the Team of the Week after his game-tying goal against Harrisburg, while Charleston’s Mike Azira led a quartet of midfielders as he scored twice in the Battery’s 5-2 victory that ended Richmond’s hopes of an undefeated regular season.
The Kickers’ Nate Robinson was also selected after a standout performance in his side’s 1-0 win against Charlotte on Friday night, while Orlando’s Christian Duke earned his place after scoring the game-winning goal against Tampa Bay on Sunday night. Dayton’s Greg Preciado rounded out the team with the final defensive spot after his goal began the Dutch Lions’ fight-back to earn a 3-1 win against Rochester 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 | Phil Tuttle | Wilmington | Six-save shutout helped Hammerheads claim win in Dayton |
| D | Mike Green | Pittsburgh | Standout two-way performance as Riverhounds downed Orlando |
| D | Greg Preciado | Dayton | Scored the Dutch Lions’ opener as they rallied past the Rhinos |
| D | Rich Costanzo | Pittsburgh | Had the game-winning goal as Riverhounds defeated VSI |
| M | Matt Bahner | Harrisburg | First professional goal came in victory against Phoenix |
| M | Mike Azira | Charleston | Scored twice as Battery ended Richmond’s undefeated streak |
| M | Nate Robinson | Richmond | Assisted on game-winning goal in win against Charlotte |
| M | Christian Duke | Orlando | Scored the game-winner as the Lions defeated Tampa Bay |
| F | Matt Fondy | Los Angeles | Scored a late equalizer for Blues against Harrisburg |
| F | Lucky Mkosana | Harrisburg | Extended scoring streak to five games in west-coast swing |
| F | Kyle Greig | Wilmington | Had two goals in two games as Hammerheads stayed alive |
Honorable Mention: Charleston – Colin Falvey, Jose Cuevas; Dayton – Brandon Swartzendruber, Gibson Bardsley; Harrisburg – Jamiel Hardware, Stephen Basso; Los Angeles – Rodrigo Lopez, George Davis IV; Phoenix: David Paul, Donny Toia; Pittsburgh – Greg Blum, Robert Vincent; Richmond – Joseph Ngwenya, Alex Lee; Rochester – JC Banks; Tampa Bay – Tony Donatelli; Wilmington – Mickael Oliveira, Daniel Roberts.