USL News Release
Thursday, June 30, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues today announced the USL Premier Development League Team of the Week for Week 9 of the season, honoring Ventura County Fusion forward Jochem Graf as Player of the Week after he recorded a victory as an emergency goalkeeper before scoring twice in his first start two days later.
Graf was called into action in goal when Fusion starter Sam Hayden was injured in the 20th minute of their game against BYU on Thursday night. Despite never having played in goal before, Graf volunteered to take over in the absence of a regular backup goalkeeper and conceded just once. He also took victory when Daniel Steres scored late to give his side a 2-1 victory.
Two days later, Graf got his first chance to start for the club after arriving earlier in the week from Bradley University. The 21-year-old struck twice as the Fusion retained top spot in the Southwest Division with a 4-1 win against the Ogden Outlaws.
Other players who helped their teams in the pursuit of the playoffs were honored in the Team of the Week, with Northern Virginia goalkeeper Calle Brown being selected after a pair of shutouts helped the Royals move to the top of the South Atlantic Division. Christian Barreiro of Reading United also had a strong week, recording a goal and assist as his side defeated Jersey 3-1, keeping Reading in touch with the Long Island Rough Riders in the Mid Atlantic Division.
Defender Tyler Hughes played all 180 minutes for the Victoria Highlanders put in two good victories to move into second place in the Northwest Division, while Orange County Blue Star’s Fernando Monge scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season as his side took its fifth straight victory.
USL Premier Development League Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Calle Brown | No. Virginia | Had a pair of shutouts to help the Royals take top spot in their division |
| D | Alex Trujillo | Schulz Academy | Had a goal, played strong defensively for Schulz against Nashville |
| D | Callum Home | Toronto | Goal from penalty sealed victory against River City |
| D | Tyler Hughes | Victoria | Played all 180 minutes in a pair of good wins for Highlanders |
| M | Luis Ocejo | Bradenton | Two goals and an assist in 4-1 victory against FC Jax |
| M | Christian Barreiro | Reading | Had a goal and assist in crucial Mid Atlantic Division clash |
| M | Enrique Cervantes | El Paso | Penalty kick was difference as Patriots kept Mid South Division lead |
| M | Patrick Mullins | New Orleans | Had a goal, assist in important 2-1 win against Baton Rough |
| F | Fernando Monge | Orange County | Two goals led Blue Star to fifth straight victory |
| F | Jochem Graf | Ventura County | Played well as emergency goalkeeper before two goals in first start |
| F | Byron Carmichael | Ocean City | Had four goals in three games as Nor’easters took first victory |
Honorable Mention: Akron – Ashton Campbell; BYU – Winston Sorhaitz; Hamilton – Scott McCoubrey; Laredo – Esteban Bayona, Rodrigo Avila; LA Blues 23 – Jordan Chrzan; Michigan – Kenny Uzoigwe; Mississippi – David Palmer; Nashville – Jonathan Jackson; North Sound – Ballew Brady; Ocean City – Mike Konikoff; Portland U-23s: Erik Hurtado, Brent Richards; Reading – Sean Peckham, Lasse Sohrweide; Real Maryland – Alex Lee, Wes Sever; RGV Grandes – Juan Gamboa; Vermont – Liam Gilbert; Ventura County – Daniel Steres; Victoria – Ashley Burbeary, Lucas Menz.