For the second week in a row the Uruguayan makes the cut after scoring two goals in two matches in Week 9
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 9 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Birmingham Legion FC’s Enzo Martinez making the cut for the second week in a row after being named the Player of the Week for Week 8.
Martinez’s nomination comes after scoring two goals in Week 9, netting a goal against The Miami FC and the Oakland Roots respectively. Martinez also led in chances created (three) and duels won (seven) against Oakland. The Uruguayan now leads the Three Sparks in goals scored with five. All five of those goals were scored in Martinez’s last four USL Championship appearances.
Charleston Battery’s Trey Muse was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after a standout six-save shutout that included a key penalty kick save in his side’s 1-0 victory on Friday night against Las Vegas Lights FC. Muse earned 67 percent of the ballot to claim the award.
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 9
GK – Trey Muse, Charleston Battery: The 23-year-old produced a six-save shutout, including a key penalty kick save on Erick “Cubo” Torres in the second half, to help the Battery earn a 1-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Friday night at Cashman Field.
D – Younes Boudadi, Indy Eleven: The Moroccan full back notched one assist and completed 56 of 65 passes, won 9 of 12 overall duels and 2 of 3 tackles, and made nine recoveries as the Boys in Blue rallied for a 2-1 victory at Loudoun United FC.
D – Derek Dodson, Charleston Battery: Dodson put in a strong defensive display against Las Vegas in the Battery’s 1-0 win, making six clearances and 13 recoveries while winning a combined 12 of 17 duels and also hit the woodwork on one of his two shots in attack.
D – Eder Borelli, El Paso Locomotive FC: The Mexican full back recorded one assist and won 3 of 5 tackles and 6 of 8 duels in Locomotive FC’s 3-2 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Friday night.
M – Florian Valot, Miami FC: The French midfielder put in a sterling all-around display in Miami’s 3-1 win against Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday night, recording one assist and two chances created while winning 11 of 13 duels and recording 12 recoveries defensively.
M – Petar Petrovic, El Paso Locomotive FC: The Serbian notched a goal and assist in the first half to help lead El Paso Locomotive FC to a 3-2 victory at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, completing 14 of 16 passes overall while putting all three of his shots on target.
M – Charlie Dennis, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The English midfielder earned a second consecutive selection as he scored a brilliant free kick shortly before halftime to highlight a strong all-around display in a 2-0 win against Phoenix Rising FC that saw him complete 27 of 32 passes and notch eight chances created.
M – Ryan Spaulding, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Spaulding was effective on the left flank for the Rowdies, recording one assist and three chances created in the side’s 2-0 victory against Phoenix Rising FC while also winning 8 of 9 duels and completing 19 of 24 passes.
F – Albert Dikwa, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Cameroonian forward scored a pair of goals, although was denied on a penalty kick, to move into a tie for the league-lead with seven on the season as the Hounds played to a 2-2 draw against Monterey Bay F.C. on Friday night.
F – Samuel Adeniran, San Antonio FC: The Texan standout notched his first goal for SAFC since he returned to the club to open the scoring in San Antonio’s 2-1 win at Las Vegas Lights FC and recorded five shots and two chances created overall at Cashman Field.
F – JJ Williams, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Williams scored the opening goal for the Rowdies against his former club – his first in Tampa Bay’s colors – and put three of his six shots on target while winning 5 of 6 aerial duels in the Rowdies’ 2-0 win against Phoenix Rising FC.
Bench: Bill Hamid (MEM), Harry Swartz (NM), AJ Paterson (CHS), Taylor Davila (RGV), Enzo Martinez (BHM), Laurent Kissiedou (MEM), Christian Volesky (MB).
Legion FC returns to Protective Stadium tomorrow, Wednesday, May 10, to face its arch rivals Memphis 901 FC in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32. The match will kick off at 7:00pm CT at Protective Stadium. Gates will open at 6:00pm, and tickets can be purchased HERE!
For all club news and updates fans are encouraged to follow @bhmlegion on social media and keep an eye on bhmlegion.com and the Legion FC app. Download the Legion FC app today on Apple or Android, and sync our 2023 schedule to your calendar HERE.
