USL News Release
Tuesday, July 9, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL PRO Team of the Week was announced today for Week 18 of the 2011 season, honoring Orlando City midfielder Jamie Watson as Player of the Week after he scored two goals in two games as the Lions clinched the league’s regular season title with a pair of victories against the Charleston Battery.
Watson scored the only goal of the game as the Lions defeated Charleston 1-0 on Wednesday night before adding another from the penalty spot on Saturday night. The former USL Second Division MVP now has five goals this season to go with three assists.
Watson is joined on the Team of the Week by teammate Yordany Alvarez, who scored what proved to be the game-winning goal for the Lions in their 2-1 win on Saturday night. Two other teams have a pair of players on the Team of the week, with the Richmond Kickers’ William Yomby and Matt Delicâte selected after their strong performances in a 3-0 victory against Dayton and Charlotte’s Mark Bloom and Darren Toby being selected after the Eagles took four points from two games on the road against Rochester and Pittsburgh.
Also named to the Team of the Week is Los Angeles Blues forward Peter Byers, who had a pair of goals last week, including one against his former side, and Antigua’s Ranja Christian, who scored twice as Barracuda FC capped their first season with a 3-0 victory against the Blues.
USL PRO Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Thorne Holder | New York | Earned strong shutout against Harrisburg, then helped side to 2-1 win vs. Rochester |
| D | Ranja Christian | Antigua | Scored twice in Barracuda FC’s final game of the season, a 3-0 win against L.A. |
| D | Tommy Gray | Pittsburgh | Scored the game-tying goal as the Riverhounds clinched a playoff berth |
| D | William Yomby | Richmond | Had the game-winning goal as the Kickers shut out Dayton |
| D | Mark Bloom | Charlotte | Scored against Pittsburgh and was strong in important win against Rhinos |
| M | Jamie Watson | Orlando | Scored two goals in two games as Lions clinched regular season title |
| M | Manny Guzman | Wilmington | Had opening goal as Hammerheads took victory against Los Angeles |
| M | Yordany Alvarez | Orlando | Was strong in center of midfield, had game-winning goal in victory against Battery |
| F | Peter Byers | Los Angeles | Continued run of form with two goals in three games, giving him seven for season |
| F | Matt Delicâte | Richmond | Scored twice to move into tie for league-lead in 3-0 win against Dayton |
| F | Darren Toby | Charlotte | Had two goals in two games as Eagles moved into playoff positions |
Honorable Mention: Antigua – Tamarley Thomas, Elvis Thomas; Charleston – Dane Kelly; Charlotte – Diego Martins, Eric Reed; Harrisburg – J.T. Noone; Los Angeles – Shahryar Dastan; New York – David Reed, Jhonny Arteaga; Orlando – Miguel Gallardo; Pittsburgh – Jeremy Deighton; Richmond – Mike Callahan; Wilmington – Andryi Budnyy, Gareth Evans.