Reading's Bates Takes Weekly Honor

USL News Release

Thursday, May 26, 2011

TAMPA, Fla. –United Soccer Leagues today announced the USL Premier Development League Team of the Week for Week 4 of the season, honoring Reading United AC forward Will Bates as Player of the Week after he scored four goals in two games to help United remain perfect to start the season and earn a berth in the 2011 U.S. Open Cup.

Bates scored a pair of goals in Reading’s 4-1 victory against Westchester on May 18, and then repeated the feat two days later as his side defeated Ocean City by the same score.

Chivas El Paso Patriots goalkeeper Jorge Muniz was also named to the team after playing a pivotal role in his side earning a 1-0 victory against the Baton Rouge Capitals. Muniz made six saves in the shutout, including stopping a penalty kick from which the Patriots were able to counter and score the only goal of the game. The victory also secured Chivas El Paso a berth in the U.S. Open Cup with a perfect 4-0-0 record in qualifying.

Real Colorado also qualified for the U.S. Open Cup, and Foxes defender Julian Donaldson was selected to the team after he scored twice in a 2-1 victory on the road against St. Louis. Another pair of standout performances came from midfielder John Sosa of the Des Moines Menace and Troy Green of the Kansas City Brass, who each had four assists in their teams’ victories during the weekend. Green was joined by teammate Ricardo Yeverino, who had a hat trick in the Brass’ 5-2 victory against Springfield.

Frederickburg Hotspur earned its first victory as a PDL franchise last weekend with a 2-1 win against the Northern Virginia Royals, and defender Nik Conklin is rewarded for his performance not only on defense but also as Fredericksburg rallied late behind his assist on the game-tying goal, which was shortly followed by Conklin’s game-winning goal.

USL Premier Development League Team of the Week

Honorable Mention: Akron – Brad Stuver; BYU – Garrett Losee; Carolina – Freddy Gomez, Cristian Negau; Central Florida – Keneil Baker; Central Jersey – Brayan Martinez; FC London – Haris Cecik; Fresno – Milton, Blanco, Gustavo Silva; Kitsap – Nik Besagno; LA Blues 23 – Leon Abravanel; Laredo – Esteban Bayona; Long Island – Dom Sarle; Mississippi – Mike Azira, David Palmer; MPS Portland – Tom Reilly; Nashville – Jordan Werner; New Orleans – Jordan Lower; Ocean City – Jack Bailey, Sal Pistone; Portland – Jason Dodson; Reading – Stephen Okai, Shane Malcolm; Real Colorado – Taylor Kemp; Ventura County – Daniel Barrera, Mark Magee; West Texas United – Leif Craddock, Ulisses Guillen; Vermont – Eishun Yoshinda; Western Mass – Kyle Clancy, Taylor Gorman; West Virginia – Robert Vincent.