USL News Release
Thursday, June 23, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues today announced the USL Premier Development League Team of the Week for Week 8 of the season, honoring Indiana Invaders midfielder Adam Mena as Player of the Week after he scored all four goals in the Invaders' 4-0 victory against FC London on Saturday.
Mena’s haul doubled his total for the season, and he currently leads the Invaders with eight goals and 19 points this year. The Notre Dame standout is preparing for his senior season with the Fighting Irish in the fall.
The Fresno Fuego’s Milton Blanco was also named to the Team of the Week after he scored two goals and added an assist in the Fuego’s 4-2 victory against the Los Angeles Legends. Blanco currently sits fourth in the league with 24 points, having scored nine goals for the current Southwest Division leaders.
Nashville’s Jonathan Jackson also had a pair of goals in the Metros' 4-1 win against Central Florida, while Kitsap midfielder Matt Friesen also bagged a pair for the Pumas in their 3-1 win against the Abbotsford Mariners as the Northwest Division leader continued its undefeated start to the season.
Joining Friesen in the Team of the Week was Coulibaly Abdoulaye, who had a goal and four assists for the Jersey Express as they maintained their pursuit of Long Island and Reading in the Mid Atlantic Division with an 11-1 win against Brooklyn.
Toronto Lynx goalkeeper also had a strong week, recording a pair of shutouts as the Lynx moved up to third place in the Great Lakes Division, while defenders Dylan Tucker of the Portland Timbers U-23s and Jack Pearson of the Victoria Highlanders were selected after each scoring and helping their side to record shutouts in victories.
USL Premier Development League Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Mike Watkins | Toronto | Recorded a pair of shutouts as Toronto earned pair of victories |
| D | Fejiro Okiomah | Carolina | Scored first goal of season as Dynamo maintained top spot in division |
| D | Dylan Tucker | Portland | Had a goal, played key role as Timbers U-23s shut out Tacoma |
| D | Jack Pearson | Victoria | Was strong in defense, added goal in 4-0 win against Crossfire |
| M | Adam Mena | Indiana | Had all four goals as Invaders defeated FC London |
| M | Coulibaly Abdoulaye | Jersey | Scored a goal and added four assists in Express’ big victory |
| M | Anthony Petrus | Thunder Bay | Key figure in center of midfield for pair of Chill victories |
| M | Matt Friesen | Kitsap | Continued strong season with pair of goals against Abbotsford |
| F | Milton Blanco | Fresno | Had a pair of goals and assist taking season points total to 24 |
| F | Felix Garcia | Laredo | Had a goal and two assists as the Heat got past West Texas United |
| F | Jonathan Jackson | Nashville | Two goals and an assist in Metros victory against Central Florida |
Honorable Mention: Abbotsford – Cody Strelau, Plavsic Sasa; Akron – Ben Truax; Carolina – Andrew Wenger, Chris Robinson; Central Florida – Johnny Mendoza; Des Moines – Lebogang Moloto; Fresno – Cody Ellison; Jersey – Jerrod Laventure, Lebogang Pila, Joseph Ovenseri; LA Blues 23 – Rodolfo Sandoval; LA Legends – Victor Sanchez; Long Island – Dom Sarle, James Nealis, Adriano Gabriele; Michigan – Lucky Mkosana; North Sound – Marshall KosakaOrange County – Chandler Hoffman; Fernando Monge; Reading – Lasse Sohrwede, Sean Peckham; RGV Grandes – Juan Nava; Schulz Academy – Gian Di Boscio; Thunder Bay – Sicelio Buthelezi; Toronto – Aaron McKenna; Virginia Beach – Marcello Alves.