USL News Release
Thursday, July 28, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues today announced the USL Premier Development League Team of the Week for Week 12 of the season, honoring Portland Timbers U-23s forward Erik Hurtado as Player of the Week after he scored a hat trick in Portland’s 5-1 victory against the North Sound SeaWolves last Friday to close out the season.
Hurtado scored three consecutive goals before halftime after teammate Brent Richards had given the Timbers U-23s the lead, capping his hat trick in the 43rd minute. About to start his sophomore season for Santa Clara University, Hurtado had eight goals in eight games for the Timbers U-23s this season.
He was joined on the Team of the Week by Ocean City’s Byron Carmichael, who capped his career for the Nor’easters with a pair of goals in their 4-0 victory against Brooklyn. The 29-year-old Carmichael announced before the season began that this would be his last go-around with Ocean City, and he departs the club as the all-time leader in goals with 62.
Players in playoff contenders also made the Team of the Week, with Fresno Fuego goalkeeper Gilbert Vega earning his spot for a shutout against the Southern California Seahorses on Saturday night, helping the Fuego finish the season with an undefeated record. Joining him on the side are defender James Nealis of the Long Island Rough Riders, who played a key role in their 0-0 draw against Reading United, and Thunder Bay’s Sergio Villalva, who scored a goal and played a strong game in the center of midfield as the Chill took the Heartland Division with a victory against the Real Colorado Foxes on Saturday night.
USL Premier Development League Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Gilbert Vega | Fresno | Recorded a shutout, his sixth of the season, against Seahorses |
| D | James Nealis | Long Island | Was excellent in defense as Rough Riders shut out Reading |
| D | Jovan Ivanovic | London | Had a goal and assist, was also solid at the back against Toronto |
| D | RJ Allen | Central Jersey | Goal and assist as Spartans upended Reading United |
| D | Daniel Scott | Kitsap | Capped another strong season for Northwest division winners |
| M | Sergio Villalva | Thunder Bay | Pivotal role in midfield as Chill claimed Heartland Division |
| M | Otto Ansger | Jersey | Scored both goals in Express’ 2-0 win against Bermuda |
| M | Bryan Perez | Des Moines | Kept Menace’s playoff chances alive with two goals against Brass |
| F | Jake Keegan | Westchester | Had two goals and an assist in 3-2 win against Long Island |
| F | Byron Carmichael | Ocean City | Scored twice in final game for Nor’easters, had 62 for career |
| F | Erik Hurtado | Portland | Had a hat trick as Timbers U-23s closed season in style |
Honorable Mention: Abbotsford – Ashley Burbeary; BYU – B.J. Pugmire, Doug Clark; Carolina – Hakan Ilhan; Central Florida – Keniel Baker; Chicago – Thierry Zahui; Des Moines – Lebogang Moloto; Jersey – Shawn Foster; Laredo – Esteban Bayona; LA Blues 23 – Isidro Torres; London – Jonattan Cordoba; Long Island – Keith Detelj; Michigan – Tom Catalano, Stefan St. Louis; Portland – Brent Richards; Reading – Bryan Ackley, Stephen Okai; Thunder Bay – Brandon Swartzendruber; Vancouver – Long Tan, Callum Irving.