USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for the final week of the season on Tuesday, with Richmond Kickers forward Matt Delicâte earning Player of the Week honors after scoring both goals in the Kickers’ 2-0 victory against Orlando City this past Wednesday night. The victory allowed Richmond to claim the USL PRO Regular Season Championship, and earn the No. 1 seed in the upcoming USL PRO Playoffs, which kick off on Saturday.
Delicâte, the Kickers’ all-time leading scorer, had struggled for much of the season with injury, but came into his own down the stretch as the Kickers held off Orlando’s challenge. The veteran striker had a pair of goals in his previous outing against Dayton, and then struck twice in a five-minute span against the Lions as the Kickers claimed a season sweep against the two-time defending regular season champions.
The Kickers had another two players named to the USL PRO Team of the Week, with goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra being selected after recording a five-save shutout against Orlando, and defender Alex Lee being named after a pair of strong performances to cap his rookie season.
Dayton’s Gibson Bardsley joined Delicâte in the Team of the Week attack after his goal and two assists led the Dutch Lions to a 3-1 victory against Harrisburg that clinched the first playoff berth in club history. He was joined by Brock Granger, who was strong at the heart of the Dutch Lions’ defense against a potent City Islanders attack that finished the season with the most goals in USL PRO (55).
Charlotte’s Christian Ramirez completed the attacking trio after his two goals and assist helped Charlotte earn a 3-3 draw with Tampa Bay. The rookie surpassed the 20-point mark this season with his performance.
Los Angeles’ Shay Spitz earned selection after his goal and assist helped the Blues earn a 2-1 win against Rochester on Saturday night. The midfield quartet was led by Charleston’s Ben Fisk, who provided a spark off the bench for the Battery in their 3-0 win against Antigua, and he was joined by Orlando’s Freddie Braun, who had the only goal in the Lions’ 1-0 win against Charlotte. Pittsburgh’s Rob Vincent, who had the assist on Jose Angulo’s goal against Richmond, and Rochester’s Danny Earls, who began Rochester’s comeback against Phoenix, completed the Team of the Week selections.
The 2013 USL PRO Playoffs kick off this Saturday, stay up to date with every game 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, plus news, previews and recaps of all the action.
USL PRO Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Andrew Dykstra | Richmond | Had five saves in shutout of Orlando as Kickers claimed title |
| D | Brock Granger | Dayton | Solid performance as the Dutch Lions rallied past Harrisburg |
| D | Shay Spitz | Los Angeles | Goal and assist helped Blues take victory against Rochester |
| D | Alex Lee | Richmond | Two strong outings as Kickers earned four points in two games. |
| M | Ben Fisk | Charleston | Had an assist, provided spark off bench against Antigua |
| M | Freddie Braun | Orlando | Scored the only goal as Lions edged past Charlotte |
| M | Rob Vincent | Pittsburgh | Provided assist, solid midfield play in 1-1 draw with Kickers |
| M | Danny Earls | Rochester | Put Rhinos on comeback trail with goal against Phoenix |
| F | Christian Ramirez | Charlotte | Two goals and assist helped Eagles earn point against Tampa Bay |
| F | Gibson Bardsley | Dayton | Had a goal, two assists as Dutch Lions claimed playoff place |
| F | Matt Delicâte | Richmond | Scored both goals as Kickers claimed regular season title |
Honorable Mention: Antigua – Orlando Mitchum, Tamorley Thomas; Charleston – Dane Kelly, Odisnel Cooper; Charlotte – Drew Yates, Alonso Jimenez; Dayton – Eli Garner, Brandon Swartzendruber; Harrisburg – Coady Andrews; Los Angeles – Matt Fondy, George Davis; Orlando – Adama Mbengue; Pittsburgh –Jose Angulo, Michael Green; Richmond – Joseph Ngwenya, Shane Johnson; Rochester – Tam McManus, Mike Reidy; Tampa Bay – Douglas Dos Santos, Chad Burt; Wilmington – Cody Arnoux, Steven Perry.