USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 3 of the 2014 season on Tuesday with OKC Energy FC’s Kyle Greig being named Player of the Week as he scored the first goal in club history to lead his side to a 2-0 win against Orange County Blues FC.
Greig, a former member of the Wilmington Hammerheads, opened the scoring for the Energy in the 12th minute against the Blues as he beat the offside trap and then coolly shot low into the right corner of the net from the top of the penalty area. He was joined on the Team of the Week by teammate Tarek Morad, who had a strong first professional game at center back as OKC held firm under pressure in the second half.
A pair of strikers from the Richmond Kickers joined Greig in the Team of the Week attack as D.C. United loanees Kyle Porter and Michael Seaton both claimed berths. Porter had a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and Seaton tallied his first goal of the season in a 3-1 win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
The Dayton Dutch Lions and Orlando City also had a pair of players chosen, with Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams and defender Brock Granger both earning selection. Granger scored his first professional goal and Williams made it stand up as he recorded a shutout to earn the Dutch Lions their first win of the season.
Orlando also claimed its first win of the season behind a goal and an assist by former league MVP Kevin Molino, who was joined on the Team of the Week by defender Rob Valentino, who notched what proved to be the winning goal for the Lions.
Harrisburg’s Jason Pelletier and Wilmington’s Paul Nicholson both earned midfield berths as they were influential in the draw between the two sides on Saturday night, and Charlotte’s Bilal Duckett rounded out the defensive group as he put in a strong debut in a losing effort for the Eagles.
The 2014 USL PRO season continues on Friday night as the Rochester Rhinos visit the Dayton Dutch Lions for their home opener at 7 p.m. ET. Saturday night sees the final debut of the 2014 season as Arizona United makes its first appearance as it hosts OKC Energy FC at the Peoria Sports Complex.
Also on Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds host their home opener as the Wilmington Hammerheads visit Highmark Stadium, and there are a pair of 2013 playoff rematches as Orlando City hosts the Charleston Battery, and the Richmond Kickers visit the Charlotte Eagles. Closing out the night, the Orange County Blues FC will host Sacramento Republic FC looking for their first win of the season.
Every game of the 2014 USL PRO season can be seen live on YouTube, with live updates also available via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+. Stay up to date with news, previews and match reports from throughout the league via USLPROSoccer.com.
USL PRO Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Matt Williams | Dayton | Recorded six-save shutout as Dutch Lions downed Eagles |
| D | Rob Valentino | Orlando | Had the game-winning goal for Lions against Rhinos |
| D | Tarek Morad | Oklahoma City | Strong debut performance in Energy FC’s inaugural win |
| D | Bilal Duckett | Charlotte | Pushed forward well as Eagles fell against Dutch Lions |
| D | Brock Granger | Dayton | First professional goal lifted Dutch Lions to victory |
| M | Jason Pelletier | Harrisburg | Marshaled the midfield well against Wilmington |
| M | Kevin Molino | Orlando | Scored a goal, added an assist in win against Rochester |
| M | Paul Nicholson | Wilmington | Provided strong tackling, good distribution in opener |
| F | Kyle Porter | Richmond | Pair of goals, including game-winner, against Pittsburgh |
| F | Kyle Greig | Oklahoma City | Scored first goal in club history in win against Blues |
| F | Michael Seaton | Richmond | Scored opening goal in victory against Riverhounds |
Honorable Mention – Charlotte: Wells Thompson, Doug Herrick; Dayton: Shintaro Harada, Kevan George; Harrisburg: Clesio Bauque, Pedro Ribeiro; Oklahoma City: Gareth Evans, Nate Shiffman; Orange County: Stephen Okai, Schillo Tshuma; Orlando: Dennis Chin, Tyler Turner; Pittsburgh: Collins John, Joseph Ngwenya; Richmond: Samuel Asante, Mike Callahan; Rochester: J.C. Banks, Alex Dixon; Wilmington: Quillan Roberts, Brian Ackley.