USL News Release
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 16 of the 2011 season today, honoring Harrisburg City Islanders midfielder Andrew Welker as Player of the Week after he had a hat trick to lead his side to a 5-1 victory against F.C. New York last Wednesday as Harrisburg maintained its pursuit of a division title.
Welker was named USL PRO Player of the Week in Week 13 of the season after his performances against Los Angeles, but he was excellent against New York, timing his runs well and finishing strongly as the City Islanders scored a decisive victory. A converted defender, Welker is now second in USL PRO with eight goals, all of which have come in the team’s past eight games.
Welker received strong competition for Player of the Week honors from Jonathan de Leon, who had a brilliant debut for the Los Angeles Blues against the Richmond Kickers last Friday. The former Tigres player scored twice as the Blues took a 2-1 victory at City Stadium to remain in contention in the National Division race. De Leon is joined on the Team of the Week by teammate Cesar Rivera, who makes his second consecutive appearance on the list after assisting on both of de Leon’s goals and then scoring himself in the Blues’ 1-1 draw with the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday.
The side the City Islanders and Blues are chasing, the Rochester Rhinos, also have a pair of players named to the team as goalkeeper Neal Kitson and defender Connor Tobin were both selected after their performances in the Rhinos’ 3-0 victory against Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Riverhounds are also represented by forward Jason Yeisley, who had a goal and two assists in his side’s 3-1 victory against Dayton earlier in the week.
Also selected for the second consecutive week is Wilmington midfielder Luke Mulholland, who had a goal and assist for the Hammerheads in their 3-0 victory against the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday. The rookie, who formerly played for the USL PDL’s Reading United AC, is now tied for second place in the league in points with 17.
USL PRO Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Neal Kitson | Rochester | Made six saves as the Rhinos maintained their lead in the division |
| D | Walter Moore | Charlotte | Scored the only goal as the Eagles defeated Wilmington on Friday |
| D | Connor Tobin | Rochester | Filled in admirably for Troy Roberts, scored his first goal for the Rhinos |
| D | Ivan Becerra | Wilmington | Strong in the Hammerheads’ 3-0 victory against Charlotte on Saturday |
| D | Stephen Basso | Harrisburg | Was excellent on the left side as City Islanders took four points from week |
| M | Luke Mulholland | Wilmington | Maintained strong form getting goal, assist in win against Charlotte |
| M | Nicki Paterson | Charleston | Scored twice for the Battery on Saturday giving him six goals this season |
| M | Andrew Welker | Harrisburg | Scored a first-half hat trick in 5-1 victory against F.C. New York |
| M | Cesar Rivera | Los Angeles | Had two assists in win against Richmond, game-tying goal against Harrisburg |
| F | Jason Yeisley | Pittsburgh | Scored and added two assists as Riverhounds solidified their playoff position |
| F | Jonathan de Leon | Los Angeles | Had two goals on his debut for Blues in 2-1 win against Richmond |
Honorable Mention: Charlotte – Diego Martins, Darren Toby; Dayton – George Davis IV, Happy Hall; Harrisburg – Jason Pelletier; Los Angeles – Oscar Dautt; Pittsburgh – Michael Gray, Louie Rolko; Richmond – Sascha Görres, Edson Elcock; Rochester – Isaac Kissi, Tyler Rosenlund; Wilmington – Tanner Wolfe, Manny Guzman.