USL News Release
Thursday, July 7, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues today announced the USL Premier Development League Team of the Week for Week 9 of the season, honoring Chivas El Paso Patriots forward Michael Griego as Player of the Week after he had a hat trick in the Patriots’ 4-2 victory against the West Texas United Sockers on Saturday.
Griego is now tied for the team lead in goals after he struck twice in the first half and added a third late to keep the Patriots in line for a playoff place. Chivas El Paso needs four points from its two remaining games to guarantee its return to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
Griego is joined on the Team of the Week by another pair of forwards who recorded hat tricks, with Sasa Plavsic having a hand in all four goals as the Abbotsford Mariners took a 4-1 victory against Washington and Carl Haworth scoring all three goals, including the game-winner with four minutes remaining, as Forest City London defeated Hamilton 3-2.
While his side fell to London, Hamilton goalkeeper Alex Mitchell is selected to the team after a strong week that saw him record a pair of shutouts and 24 saves in three games. He is joined by defenders Sam Roca, who had a commanding performance in his first start in the backline for the Kitsap Pumas and Guilherme Reis, who was strong as Mississippi became the first PDL side to clinch a berth in the playoffs. The Brilla gave up one goal in a pair of victories against IMG Bradenton and Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy.
Ventura County’s Danny Barerra leads the midfield selections after he had the game-winning goal for the Fusion in their 2-0 win against the LA Blues 23. The Fusion remain undefeated and on course for a place in the playoffs with three games remaining in the season. Also selected was Long Island’s Tyler Arnore, who had a pair of assists as the Rough Riders remained on top of the Mid Atlantic Division with a 3-1 win against Central Jersey.
USL Premier Development League Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Alex Mitchell | Hamilton | Had a pair of shutouts, making 24 saves over three games in five days |
| D | Sam Roca | Kitsap | Commanding performance in shutout in his first start as a defender |
| D | Kevin Stam | Carolina | Had a goal and led defense to a shutout as Dynamo regained division lead |
| D | Guilherme Reis | Mississippi | Had a strong weekend as Brilla captured third consecutive playoff berth |
| M | Tyler Arnore | Long Island | Pair of assists keyed Rough Riders’ victory against Spartans |
| M | Tommy Catalano | Michigan | Scored twice off bench in Bucks’ 4-3 win against Akron |
| M | Danny Barrera | Ventura County | Had game-winning goal and controlled midfield in 2-0 win against Blues 23 |
| M | Kwame Steede | Bermuda | Scored the game-winner as the Hogges took their third straight victory |
| F | Sasa Plavsic | Abbotsford | Led the Mariners to 4-1 victory against Crossfire with hat trick and an assist |
| F | Michael Griego | Chivas El Paso | Had a hat trick against West Texas United, keeping Patriots top of division |
| F | Carl Haworth | London | Hat trick, including late game-winner, lifted Forest City past Hamilton |
Honorable Mention: Carolina – Karo Okiomah, Robbie Lovejoy; Central Florida – Ryan Maloney, Jonathan Mendoza; Chicago – Thierry Zuhai; Chivas El Paso – Enrique Cervantes, Benjamin Vasquez; Jersey – Coulibaly Abdoulea; Kitsap – Warlen Silva; LA Blues 23 – Jose Gomez; Laredo – Armando Begines; Mississippi – Moses Aduny, David Palmer; Michigan – Mitch Hildebrandt; New Orleans – Paris Simmons; North Sound – Claudio Lazar; Ocean City – Terry Gibbs; Thunder Bay – Gustavo Oliveira, Stephen Paterson; Vancouver – Caleb Clarke, Derrick Bassi; Ventura County – Reed Williams; Virginia Beach – Charles Nweke, Devin Pierce; Westchester – Albert Kumah.