TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 8 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday, with Legion FC forward JJ Williams earning a spot in the team for his early assist and late game-winning goal in Birmingham’s 2-1 victory at OKC Energy FC on Saturday.
The goal was Williams’ first of the season, as he made a smart run to tap in a Jonny Dean cutback at the top of the six-yard box, and the assist was his second in two games, with both assists leading to goals by the league’s leading scorer, Legion FC forward Neco Brett. Williams, in his first season permanently signed in Birmingham after playing here on loan the past two seasons from MLS clubs Columbus Crew and Atlanta United, is finding his stride, and is third on the team in shots, chances created, and tackles and is second in blocks.
San Diego Loyal SC’s Alejandro Guido voted Player of the Week after he recorded a goal and assist to lead his side’s comeback 2-1 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday night. Guido earned 43 percent of the POTW ballot, while Williams and Sporting Kansas City II’s Enoch Mushagalusa finished tie for second on 21 percent.
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 8
GK – Ben Lundt, Phoenix Rising FC: Ben Lundt recorded an eight-save shutout for Rising FC, making some vital stops to keep the side ahead before it pulled away for a 3-0 victory against Tacoma Defiance on Saturday night.
D – Joaquin Varela, San Antonio FC: Joaquin Varela scored an early goal for the visitors and then helped SAFC earn a 1-1 draw with Las Vegas Lights FC at Cashman Field making six clearances, winning 5 of 7 duels and winning two tackles.
D – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC: Sean Totsch won 5 of 5 tackles, 7 of 10 duels and made seven recoveries while completing 81 of 86 passes and almost found the net in attack, hitting the woodwork with a header in LouCity’s 3-0 win against Memphis 901 FC.
D – Macauley King, El Paso Locomotive FC: Macauley King earned a second consecutive selection after a strong two-game week that saw him record one goal and one assist, complete 61 of 75 passes and record three key passes overall and make eight recoveries.
M – Milan Iloski, Real Monarchs SLC: Milan Iloski scored both goals for the Monarchs in their 2-0 win against Sacramento Republic FC, his first in the professional ranks, and had seven shots overall in the contest.
M – Alejandro Guido, San Diego Loyal SC: Alejandro Guido came off the bench with SD Loyal down a goal to the LA Galaxy II with 22 minutes to go and helped turn the game around, scoring a long-range goal before providing a beautiful assist on Miguel Berry’s late winner.
M – Diego Luna, El Paso Locomotive FC: Diego Luna recorded his second goal of the season to lead Locomotive FC’s 2-0 win against Indy Eleven on Wednesday night, and over two games completed 48 of 53 passes, had five key passes and won 2 of 2 tackles.
M – Jake Areman, Charlotte Independence: Jake Areman had one assist and two key passes while completing 51 of 59 passes overall, completing 6 of 6 dribbles and winning 9 of 11 duels in the Independence’s 3-2 victory against Hartford Athletic.
F – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC: Solomon Asante scored the opening two goals in Phoenix’s 3-0 win against Tacoma Defiance with both shots coming from well outside the penalty area, and also recorded five shots and two key passes while completing 23 of 33 passes overall.
F – Enoch Mushagalusa, Sporting Kansas City II: Enoch Mushagalusa scored his first two goals of the season, had six shots overall and completed six dribbles in SKC II’s 2-2 draw with Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday night.
F – JJ Williams, Birmingham Legion FC: JJ Williams recorded a late game-winner for his first goal of the season to add to an assist on Neco Brett’s early finish and had four headed clearances defensively in Legion FC’s 2-1 win at OKC Energy FC.
Bench: Trey Muse (SD), Wesley Charpie (LOU), Bryce Duke (LV), Wan Kuzain (RGV), Ronaldo Damus (OC) Santi Moar (PHX), Sebastian Guenzatti (TBR)
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 8 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday, with Legion FC forward JJ Williams earning a spot in the team for his early assist and late game-winning goal in Birmingham’s 2-1 victory at OKC Energy FC on Saturday.
The goal was Williams’ first of the season, as he made a smart run to tap in a Jonny Dean cutback at the top of the six-yard box, and the assist was his second in two games, with both assists leading to goals by the league’s leading scorer, Legion FC forward Neco Brett. Williams, in his first season permanently signed in Birmingham after playing here on loan the past two seasons from MLS clubs Columbus Crew and Atlanta United, is finding his stride, and is third on the team in shots, chances created, and tackles and is second in blocks.
San Diego Loyal SC’s Alejandro Guido voted Player of the Week after he recorded a goal and assist to lead his side’s comeback 2-1 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday night. Guido earned 43 percent of the POTW ballot, while Williams and Sporting Kansas City II’s Enoch Mushagalusa finished tie for second on 21 percent.
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 8
GK – Ben Lundt, Phoenix Rising FC: Ben Lundt recorded an eight-save shutout for Rising FC, making some vital stops to keep the side ahead before it pulled away for a 3-0 victory against Tacoma Defiance on Saturday night.
D – Joaquin Varela, San Antonio FC: Joaquin Varela scored an early goal for the visitors and then helped SAFC earn a 1-1 draw with Las Vegas Lights FC at Cashman Field making six clearances, winning 5 of 7 duels and winning two tackles.
D – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC: Sean Totsch won 5 of 5 tackles, 7 of 10 duels and made seven recoveries while completing 81 of 86 passes and almost found the net in attack, hitting the woodwork with a header in LouCity’s 3-0 win against Memphis 901 FC.
D – Macauley King, El Paso Locomotive FC: Macauley King earned a second consecutive selection after a strong two-game week that saw him record one goal and one assist, complete 61 of 75 passes and record three key passes overall and make eight recoveries.
M – Milan Iloski, Real Monarchs SLC: Milan Iloski scored both goals for the Monarchs in their 2-0 win against Sacramento Republic FC, his first in the professional ranks, and had seven shots overall in the contest.
M – Alejandro Guido, San Diego Loyal SC: Alejandro Guido came off the bench with SD Loyal down a goal to the LA Galaxy II with 22 minutes to go and helped turn the game around, scoring a long-range goal before providing a beautiful assist on Miguel Berry’s late winner.
M – Diego Luna, El Paso Locomotive FC: Diego Luna recorded his second goal of the season to lead Locomotive FC’s 2-0 win against Indy Eleven on Wednesday night, and over two games completed 48 of 53 passes, had five key passes and won 2 of 2 tackles.
M – Jake Areman, Charlotte Independence: Jake Areman had one assist and two key passes while completing 51 of 59 passes overall, completing 6 of 6 dribbles and winning 9 of 11 duels in the Independence’s 3-2 victory against Hartford Athletic.
F – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC: Solomon Asante scored the opening two goals in Phoenix’s 3-0 win against Tacoma Defiance with both shots coming from well outside the penalty area, and also recorded five shots and two key passes while completing 23 of 33 passes overall.
F – Enoch Mushagalusa, Sporting Kansas City II: Enoch Mushagalusa scored his first two goals of the season, had six shots overall and completed six dribbles in SKC II’s 2-2 draw with Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday night.
F – JJ Williams, Birmingham Legion FC: JJ Williams recorded a late game-winner for his first goal of the season to add to an assist on Neco Brett’s early finish and had four headed clearances defensively in Legion FC’s 2-1 win at OKC Energy FC.
Bench: Trey Muse (SD), Wesley Charpie (LOU), Bryce Duke (LV), Wan Kuzain (RGV), Ronaldo Damus (OC) Santi Moar (PHX), Sebastian Guenzatti (TBR)
