USL News Release
Thursday, July 14, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues today announced the USL Premier Development League Team of the Week for Week 10 of the season, honoring Fresno Fuego forward Milton Blanco as Player of the Week after he had a goal and two assists in the Fuego’s 4-3 victory against Orange County Blue Star last Sunday, keeping his side on course for the PDL playoffs.
Blanco has had an outstanding season for Fresno, currently sitting tied for second place in the PDL with 28 points. His 10 goals also lead the team, and have him tied for eighth place in the league. Against Orange County, Blanco did all of his work in the second half, first giving his side the lead in the 81st minute and then assisting Andrew Campbell’s 90th-minute game-winner after Fernando Monge had pulled Blue Star even with six minutes to go.
Central Florida’s Ryan Maloney had another pair of goals as the Kraze clinched their place in the playoffs with a 3-0 victory against the Nashville Metros, earning him a spot on the Team of the Week, while Myles McGinley had a goal and an assist for the Northern Virginia Royals as they continued to lead the South Atlantic Division after a 2-0 victory against fellow playoff contender the Carolina Dynamo.
Real Maryland’s Ryan Gracia was also named to the Team of the Week after he recorded a hat trick and an assist in the Monarchs’ 5-2 victory against Fredericksburg on Saturday night. Defensively, Thunder Bay goalkeeper Stephen Patterson got the nod in net after he continued his outstanding season with another two shutouts. Patterson now has a goals-against average of 0.302 in 10 games this season, leading the league.
USL Premier Development League Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Stephen Patterson | Thunder Bay | Two more shutouts as his GAA now sits at 0.302 |
| D | Brent Wantke | Abbotsford | Played crucial role as Mariners defeated Portland U-23s 2-1 |
| D | Jabril Lawal | Des Moines | Had a goal and led defense as it ended Thunder Bay’s undefeated streak |
| D | Shaun Foster | Jersey | Controlled the game from the back in Express’ 4-0 win against Westchester |
| M | Myles McGinley | No. Virginia | Had a goal and assist as Royals defeated Carolina 2-0 |
| M | Christian Barreiro | Reading | Had two goals and an assist as United remained top with Ocean City win |
| M | Haris Cekic | London | Recorded all three assists in Forest City’s 3-1 win against Ottawa |
| M | Freddy Gomez | Carolina | A goal and two assists as he led Dynamo to 4-0 win against Piranhas |
| F | Ryan Maloney | Central Florida | Pair of goals earned victory against Nashville, playoff berth for Kraze |
| F | Milton Blanco | Fresno | Continued outstanding season with goal, two assists against Orange County |
| F | Ryan Gracia | Real Maryland | Hat trick, including late game-winner, lifted Forest City past Hamilton |
Honorable Mention: Abbotsford – Andrew Kowen, Adriano Negri; IMG Bradenton – Martin Ontiveros; Carolina – Andrew Wenger; Indiana – Gideon Asante, Musa Kamara; Jersey – Abdoulaye Coulibaly, Joseph Ovenseri; London – Carl Haworth; Michigan – Tom Catalano; Mississippi – Mike Azira; MPS Portland – Brian Fekete; Portland – Brent Richards; Reading – Brian Ackley, Brian Holt; Schulz Academy – Kareem Yearwood; Tacoma – Jordan Jennings; Thunder Bay – Sicelio Buthelezi, Anthony Putrus; Toronto – Fabricio Barancoski; Vancouver – Ben Fisk, Callum Irving; Vermont – Ryan Brooks-Newton; Victoria – Jordie Hughes; Washington – Liam Kelly; West Texas – Lukas Garcia.