USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 8 of the 2014 season on Tuesday as LA Galaxy II forward Chandler Hoffman was named Player of the Week after he recorded two goals in two games as his side took four points from the week.
Hoffman scored the game-winner for the Galaxy II as they took a 2-1 victory against the Charlotte Eagles on Monday, May 5. He then opened the scoring for Los Dos as they drew 1-1 on the road against the Dayton Dutch Lions on Saturday night. Hoffman now sits tied for the league lead with five goals in eight appearances this season.
The two other players at the top of the race for the Golden Boot also earned selection to the Team of the Week, as Orlando’s Kevin Molino and Richmond’s George Davis IV were both selected. Molino’s fifth goal of the season proved decisive as the Lions took a 1-0 win against Pittsburgh on Friday night, while the same evening Davis IV opened the scoring in the Kickers’ 4-0 win against Arizona United.
Arizona’s Paolo DelPiccolo and Rochester’s Tyler Rosenlund also earned selection in the midfield, while Orange County’s Gibson Bardsley earned selection after his 90th-minute game-winner against Oklahoma City on Saturday night.
The Team of the Week’s defense is led by Charlotte’s Ben Newnam, who had a pair of good performances in the Eagles’ west-coast trip that were capped by a spectacular goal in the side’s 2-0 win against Orange County on Thursday night. Richmond’s Taylor Kemp also earns selection after a sterling night against Arizona, while Dayton’s Brock Granger and the LA Galaxy II’s Kyle Venter were named after solid outings. Wilmington goalkeeper Quillan Roberts gets the nod in goal after his late saves preserved a 1-0 victory for the Hammerheads on the road in Charleston.
USL PRO teams open play in the U.S. Open Cup this week, with all 14 teams competing for a place in the third round on Tuesday and Wednesday night. The round includes a number of interesting ties that see sides take on some of the top teams in the PDL, with Orlando City hosting the defending Southeast Division champion Ocala Stampede, the Charlotte Eagles set to host the South Atlantic Division champion Carolina Dynamo, and the Orange County Blues visiting the Southwest Division champion Fresno Fuego.
The USL PRO season continues this weekend, with three marquee matchups set for Saturday night. First, the Wilmington Hammerheads host the Charleston Battery at Legion Stadium in the conclusion of the rivals’ home-and-home series that began last Saturday. The action switches to the west coast as Arizona United SC hosts Orlando City at the Peoria Sports Complex, and Sacramento Republic FC hosts its final game at Hughes Stadium with a visit from the LA Galaxy II.
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
Honorable Mention – Arizona: Evan Newton, Brandon Swartzendruber; Charleston: Mamadou Diouf; Charlotte: Drew Yates, Jorge Herrera; Dayton: Matt Williams, Aaron Schoenfeld; Harrisburg: Morgan Langley, Richie Marquez; LA Galaxy II: Rafael Garcia, Raul Mendiola; Oklahoma City: Michael Thomas, Jon Kempin; Orange County: Josh Ford, Taylor Peay; Orlando: Luke Boden, Dennis Chin; Pittsburgh: Matt Dallman; Richmond: Shay Spitz, Matt Delicate; Rochester: JC Banks, Johnny Mendoza; Wilmington: Paul Nicholson, Daniel Lovitz.