TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced its Team of the Week for Week 12 on Tuesday with Birmingham Legion FC defender AJ Paterson earning league recognition for the first time this season. He is the fourth Birmingham player to receive Team of the Week honors, joining Matt Van Oekel (Week 1), Kobe Hernandez-Foster (Week 6) and Enzo Martinez (Week 9, 10).
Paterson was instrumental in Saturday’s scoreless draw at Sacramento Republic FC with three clearances, two tackles won, and one interception. Additionally, the Grenadian left back had a team-high in touches with 87 while completing 88.3% of his passes (53/60).
El Paso Locomotive FC forward Amando Moreno was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording a two-goal performance to lead Locomotive to a 2-1 victory against Eastern Conference leader the Charleston Battery.
The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 12
GK – Koke Vegas, Rhode Island FC: The Spanish shot-stopper posted a three-save shutout, claimed three crosses and had one punched clearance as RIFC earned a point at home against Louisville City FC.
D – Lucas Stauffer, El Paso Locomotive FC: Stauffer had a strong performance on the right side for Locomotive in its victory against Charleston, winning 4 of 4 tackles and 8 of 11 duels while making 10 recoveries and three interceptions at Patriots Point.
D – Oscar Jimenez, Memphis 901 FC: The Championship veteran scored his first goal for Memphis in the side’s 2-0 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and won one tackle while recording two interceptions and two clearances at AutoZone Park.
D – Abdi Mohamed, New Mexico United: The Somalian international put in a solid defensive display in New Mexico’s victory against San Antonio FC, winning 7 of 8 duels and 2 of 2 tackles while completing 36 of 50 passes at Isotopes Park.
M – Mikey Maldonado, North Carolina FC: The 25-year-old scored a spectacular Olimpico from a corner kick on the left to cap a fine all-around display which saw him complete 23 of 27 passes, notch four chances created and make three interceptions in a 4-0 win against Miami FC.
M – Jack Blake, Indy Eleven: The English midfielder recorded both goals as the Boys in Blue completed a perfect month of May with a 2-1 victory against Phoenix Rising FC and completed 33 of 42 passes overall while winning 5 of 9 duels and 1 of 1 tackle.
M – Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Hartford Athletic: The French Guiana international recorded the first two-assist performance of his career in the Championship to guide Hartford to a 2-1 win against Monterey Bay F.C., completed 26 of 29 passes overall and won 2 of 2 tackles.
M – Florian Valot, Loudoun United FC: The French midfielder recorded his second goal of the season, completed 32 of 42 passes and 4 of 5 dribbles and won 9 of 15 duels and 2 of 3 tackles in Loudoun’s 2-0 victory on the road against Orange County SC.
F – Amando Moreno, El Paso Locomotive FC: The El Salvador international struck twice as Locomotive claimed just its second win of the season by knocking the Charleston Battery from the ranks of the undefeated while having three shots and one chance created overall.
F – Zach Ryan, Loudoun United FC: Loudoun’s captain had one goal and one assist as United took a 2-0 victory on the road against Orange County SC and had three shots and two chances created overall leading the side’s forward line.
F – Cal Jennings, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Jennings scored his eighth goal of the regular season to lift the Rowdies to a late victory against Las Vegas Lights FC, recorded three shots on target and seven shots overall while posting two chances created in a solid attacking display.
Coach – Ryan Martin, Loudoun United FC: Martin’s squad put together an impressive road performance, holding Orange County to only seven shots while holding more possession in Loudoun’s second consecutive victory.
Bench: Paul Blanchette (OAK), Paco Craig (NC), AJ Paterson (BHM), Ezra Armstrong (NC), Nanan Houssou (NM), Marlon Santos (MEM), Greg Hurst (NM)
