Legion FC’s 28-year-old newcomer scored his first two goals in the Magic City, including a worldie that featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 2 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Legion FC forward Tyler Pasher earning a spot in the side and finishing second in the Player of the Week vote.
Pasher’s first goal for the #ThreeSparks came in the fourth minute as he broke through the backline, skipped around the ‘keeper, and put away the shot from a tight angle. After his side fell behind in the second half, the Canadian pulled off some magic to bring Legion level again in the 83rd minute, dribbling past four Tulsa players before scoring with a low shot from 30 yards out. The brilliant individual finish landed at No. 3 on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 on Friday night.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC forward Albert Dikwa was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after scoring the first hat trick of his career in the Hounds’ victory on the road against Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park. Dikwa earned 54 percent of the ballot to claim the award while Pasher finished second on 31 percent.
Pasher is the second Legion FC player to earn a spot on Team of the Week in the first two weeks of the 2023 season, after center back Alex Crognale was named to the squad after Week One. Crognale assisted Pasher’s first goal versus Tulsa, giving him a goal and an assist across the first two games of the year.
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 2
GK – Koke Vegas, San Diego Loyal SC: The Spanish shot-stopper recorded his second consecutive shutout to start the season, making three saves as SD Loyal pulled away for a 3-0 victory against Phoenix Rising FC at Torero Stadium.
D – Jonathan Ricketts, Rio Grande Valley FC: Ricketts scored the opening goal for the Toros in their 1-1 draw with Oakland Roots SC and had a stellar defensive display, winning 10 of 12 duels and 2 of 3 aerial duels while recording seven clearances and seven recoveries.
D – Aaron Guillen, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The veteran center back made a crucial goal line clearance to keep Tampa Bay in the game against Orange County and won 9 of 9 duels, made nine recoveries and completed 5 of 5 dribbles as the Rowdies rallied for a 1-1 draw.
D – Mitchell Taintor, San Antonio FC: Taintor put in a big individual defensive display with four interceptions, 10 clearances and 12 recoveries while winning 3 of 3 aerial duels in SAFC’s 1-1 draw at Loudoun United FC.
D – Patrick Hogan, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Hogan won 2 of 2 tackles, 2 of 3 duels and 3 of 4 aerial duels and defensively recorded six clearances and six recoveries while being credited with an assist on the Hounds’ opening goal in a 3-1 win at Memphis 901 FC.
M – Maxi Rodriguez, Detroit City FC: Rodriguez scored once and put in a big all-around midfield display as Le Rouge defeated El Paso Locomotive FC on the road, winning 10 of 11 duels, three tackles, making eight recoveries and completing 3 of 3 dribbles.
M – Charlie Dennis, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Dennis pulled the strings for the Rowdies in midfield as he completed 51 of 59 passes and 8 of 11 long passes while recording two chances created, and also won 4 of 5 tackles, 10 of 15 duels and 3 of 3 aerial duels in his side’s 1-1 draw at Orange County SC.
M – Edgardo Rito, Oakland Roots SC: The Venezuelan had a strong attacking performance on the right for Roots SC, notching the assist on a late equalizer while notching five chances created overall in a 1-1 draw at Rio Grande Valley FC.
F – Albert Dikwa, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Dikwa scored his first professional hat trick on four shots to lead the Hounds to a 3-1 victory on the road against Memphis 901 FC on Saturday evening, while also notching a pair of chances created.
F – Tyler Pasher, Birmingham Legion FC: Pasher scored his first two goals for Legion FC, including a remarkable individual effort that pulled the side back level before earning a 3-2 victory in stoppage time against FC Tulsa on Friday night.
F – Rodrigo Lopez, Sacramento Republic FC: The veteran playmaker had a strong all-around game, notching five chances created and two shots while winning 8 of 11 duels and 3 of 4 tackles to help the 10-player Republic FC earn a 1-1 draw with the Charleston Battery.
Bench: Nathan Steinwascher (DET), Lamar Batista (SA), Amadou Dia (LOU), Gaoussou Samaké (LDN), Jack Gurr (SAC), Justin Portillo (NM), Elliot Collier (SD)
