PDL News Release
Thursday, May 15, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – The PDL announced its Team of the Week for the second week of the 2014 season on Thursday, with Jersey Express forward Chris Karcz named Player of the Week as he recorded three goals in two games to lead his side to four points from its opening two games.
Karcz, a former member of the New York Red Bulls, scored both goals in the Express’ opening game of the season last Wednesday as they claimed a 2-2 draw with rival Reading United. He then added a goal and an assist in a 5-0 victory against the Northern Virginia Royals that left the Express on top of the Mid Atlantic Division going into this weekend’s action.
FC Tucson’s Tommy Ramos and the Cincinnati Dutch Lions’ Jordan Grant joined Karcz in the Team of the Week’s forward line, as Grant scored twice to spark his side to a 3-3 draw against the River City Rovers in its inaugural contest in the PDL. Ramos also had a pair of goals and an assist as his side split a pair of games at BYU and Las Vegas.
Austin’s Tony Rocha led the midfield quartet after his goal and assist in the Aztex’s 5-0 win against Houston, and he was joined by the LA Misioneros’ Javier Castro, who had both goals as his side defeated the Fresno Fuego 2-1. Albuquerque’s Nathanial Pacheco also earned selection as his goal proved the winner in the Sol’s first win in club history, a 2-1 victory against Real Colorado, while Long Island’s Shaun Foster completed the group after a dominant display in the Rough Riders’ 2-0 win against F.A. Euro.
GPS Portland Phoenix goalkeeper Lee Johnston led the defense as he recorded a nine-save shutout in his side’s 3-0 win against the Vermont Voltage. San Jose’s Ramon Martin del Campo also earned selection after providing strong leadership as the Earthquakes U23 claimed two draws on the road in their first two games in team history, while Adrian DuBois was solid as Seacoast United limited Westchester to three shots in a 1-0 win, the Phantoms’ first victory since 2012. BYU’s Kip Critchlow rounds out the group after his goal helped the Cougars to their second win in as many games with victory against Tucson.
The PDL season continues this weekend with 26 games on the schedule between Friday and Sunday. The weekend’s action includes the debuts of two teams in the Northwest Division, with Lane United FC set to host the Sounders FC U-23 on Friday night, and the Puget Sound Gunners the Portland Timbers U-23s on Saturday afternoon. The Montreal Impact U23 also make their debut in the Northeast Division as they face the Westchester Flames, while Chicago Fire U-23 and the Michigan Bucks renew their longstanding rivalry in the Great Lakes Division on Saturday.
Follow all of the action from the 2014 PDL season via twitter (@USLPDL), and also on Facebook and Instagram as the league’s 20th season shines the spotlight on some of the top college and academy prospects from across the country.
PDL Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Lee Johnston | GPS Portland | Recorded nine saves as the Phoenix defeated Vermont 3-0 |
| D | Ramon Martin del Campo | San Jose | Marshalled the Earthquakes U23 to a pair of road draws |
| D | Kip Critchlow | BYU | Had a goal as the Cougars defeated Tucson for their season win |
| D | Adrian DuBois | Seacoast | Helped limit Westchester to three shots in 1-0 victory |
| M | Tony Rocha | Austin | Spectacular goal and assist helped Aztex make winning start |
| M | Shaun Foster | Long Island | Commanded the midfielder as the Rough Riders downed F.A. Euro |
| M | Javier Castro | Los Angeles | Scored both goals as the Misioneros defeated Fresno 2-1 |
| M | Nathanial Pacheco | Albuquerque | Had the winning goal as the Sol claimed their first victory |
| F | Tommy Ramos | Tucson | Scored two goals as Tucson split a pair of road contests |
| F | Chris Karcz | Jersey | Three goals in two games as Express opened with draw, win |
| F | Jordan Grant | Cincinnati | Pair of goals led Dutch Lions rally for 3-3 draw with River City |
Honorable Mention – Albuquerque: Ricardo Perez, Victor Rodriguez; Austin: Andres Cuero, Kalen Ryden; Carolina: Tony Murillo, Mamadee Nyepon; GPS Portland: Zach Zurita, McKauley Tulloch; Houston: Lukas Simon; Jersey: Nick Viaggio; Kitsap: Kevin Finlayson; Las Vegas: Salvador Bernal; Long Island: Thomas Wharf, Stephen Roche; Los Angeles: Bryan de la Fuente, Jose Miranda; Reading: Oumar Ballo, Alex Bono; River City: Dylan Terry, Peter May; San Jose: Jesus Guzman, Matt Sheldon; Seacoast: Terrence Carter, Alex Ryan; SW Florida: Bebey Bertrand; Tucson: Ricardo Velazco, Tim Harbison; Vancouver: Jordan Farahani, Niall Cousens; Ventura County: James Kiffe, Dan Delgado; Westchester: Alan Reiter.