The 17-year-old earned the distinction after a standout performance versus Hartford in which he led the team in passes and created three chances in his first start in the USLC
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 3 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Legion FC midfielder Matthew Corcoran earning a spot in the team after his stellar play in Birmingham’s 1-0 road victory at Hartford Athletic on Saturday.
The 17-year-old, making his first start for the Club since joining last season from the FC Dallas academy, went the full 90 minutes and controlled the match for Legion FC versus Hartford, finishing the game with the most passes attempted (48) and most passes completed (40) for either team. He also led his team in crosses with nine and tied for the team lead in chances created with three, while winning five duels, completing two tackles, adding two interceptions, and taking two shots.
The Team of the Week honor is the first in Corcoran’s young career with Birmingham Legion FC.
San Antonio FC goalkeeper Jordan Farr voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording a five-save shutout that included a stoppage-time penalty kick save in his side’s 1-0 victory against Colorado Springs. Farr earned 56 percent of the ballot to claim the award. The Charleston Battery’s Fidel Barajas finished second with 25 percent of the poll after the 16-year-old starlet recorded his first goal in the USLC and added his second assist of the season in the Battery’s 3-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
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 3
GK – Jordan Farr, San Antonio FC: The reigning Championship Goalkeeper of the Year posted a five-save shutout that was capped by a penalty kick save in stoppage time to preserve a 1-0 win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
D – Alex Villanueva, Orange County SC: The 20-year-old full back scored his first league goal for Orange County SC with a good header and was stellar otherwise, completing 35 of 39 passes and winning 3 of 3 tackles and 6 of 8 duels in his side’s 2-2 draw with Las Vegas Lights FC.
D – Bryam Rebellon, Indy Eleven: The Colombian scored his first goal in the Championship since 2020, and his first for the Boys in Blue, which proved the winner in a 1-0 win against Detroit City FC which also saw him win 3 of 5 duels and make four recoveries.
D – Marc Navarro, El Paso Locomotive FC: The Spanish full back scored the opening goal in El Paso’s 3-0 victory at Louisville City FC and notched two shots and one chance created overall at Lynn Family Stadium.
M – Taylor Davila, Rio Grande Valley FC: Davila scored a stoppage-time equalizer in the Toros’ 1-1 draw with Monterey Bay F.C. to cap a performance that saw him record four shots on target overall, complete 4 of 4 dribbles and 39 of 46 passes and win 6 of 7 duels.
M – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: The 23-year-old recorded one goal and one assist in his side’s 3-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies while completing 16 of 19 passes at Patriots Point.
M – Blaine Ferri, FC Tulsa: The 22-year-old scored the opening goal in Tulsa’s 3-0 victory against Loudoun United FC and completed 24 of 27 passes while making two interceptions and eight recoveries at ONEOK Field.
M – Luis Felipe Fernandes, Sacramento Republic FC: Fernandes scored the only goal in Republic FC’s 1-0 win against San Diego Loyal SC at Heart Health Park and complete 26 of 31 passes while winning 2 of 3 tackles.
F – Fidel Barajas, Charleston Battery: The Mexico U-17 international notched a brilliant first goal in the professional ranks and also recorded an assist while winning 2 of 3 duels in Charleston’s 3-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
F – Marcus Epps, FC Tulsa: The veteran winger capped the first win of the season for Tulsa with a fine long-range finish and ended the game with three shots and one chance created while winning 2 of 3 tackles in Tulsa’s 3-0 victory against Loudoun United FC.
F – Milan Iloski, Orange County SC: The reigning Championship Golden Boot winner notched his first goal of the season and an assist on a bicycle kick cross while completing 20 of 24 passes and winning 2 of 3 duels in OCSC’s 2-2 draw with Las Vegas Lights FC.
Bench: Benny Diaz (ELP), Adrian Diz Pe (IND), Patrick Hogan (PIT), Jose Francisco Torres (RGV), Mohammed Abu (SA), Matthew Corcoran (BHM), Milo Yosef (TUL)
