Martinez received his fifth TOTW honor while Nwegbo received his first of 2023 after the pair’s impact against Louisville FC
TAMPA, FL – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 24 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Legion FC’s Enzo Martinez and Diba Nwegbo both receiving the honor.
Martinez and Nwegbo were instrumental in Legion FC’s victory over Southeastern rivals Louisville FC on Saturday, August 19. The pair combined in Birmingham’s only open-play goal of its 2-0 victory. Chasing a ball from over the top headed towards LouCity’s end line, Nwegbo impressively back-heel chipped the ball to keep it in play. The recovery landed at the feet of Juan Agudelo who swung a ball over to the far post that Martinez hammered in.
Martinez’s goal marks his ninth USL Championship goal in 2023 for the Black & Gold, and the Uruguayan also impressively won 4 of 4 tackles, 6 of 9 duels and 3 of 3 aerial duels in the game.
The pair of Nwegbo and Martinez also had a direct impact in the penalty kick that led to Legion’s second goal of the match. Sitting back in midfield, Martinez fed Nwegbo a pin-point ball over the top to get in behind LouCity’s back line. The 21-year-old dribbled the ball into the box but was fouled as he geared up to shoot.
Nwegbo was at the forefront of the League’s Young Player Spotlight this week thanks to his performance.
“He has grown,” said Legion FC Head Coach Tommy Soehn on Nwegbo’s recent form. “He’s a kid coming out of college, so there’s some lumps and mountains you got to get through along the way. But, we’re putting game plans in and he’s starting to really execute his timing of runs, getting in behind, defending, and keeping plays alive.”
Fans can watch Nwegbo, Martinez and the rest of the Legion FC squad take on FC Tulsa in Oklahoma tomorrow on Wednesday, August 23! The match will be streaming on My68 and ESPN+.
Miami FC forward Joaquin Rivas was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording the first hat trick of his professional career in his side’s victory away at Hartford Athletic.
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 24
GK – Colin Shutler, Orange County SC: Shutler recorded shutouts against both Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and the Charleston Battery while recording four saves across the two games as Orange County defeated both Eastern Conference foes.
D – Devon Amoo-Mensah, Detroit City FC: The center back had a stellar defensive display in Le Rouge’s 1-0 win against Las Vegas Lights FC, winning 11 of 14 duels, 5 of 6 aerial duels and 7 of 9 tackles while making eight recoveries, three interceptions and five clearances.
D – Kyle Colonna, New Mexico United: Colonna scored his first goal in the USL Championship in New Mexico’s 2-2 draw with San Diego Loyal SC and completed 36 of 40 passes while winning 3 of 3 tackles, 5 of 6 duels and 3 of 4 aerial duels defensively.
D – Owen Lambe, Orange County SC: Lambe played the full 180 minutes in Orange County SC’s two wins during the week, scored a superb goal in the club’s 2-0 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday, and had four chances created while completing 78 of 94 passes overall.
M – Tyreek Magee, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Jamaican international scored a pair of goals to lead the Switchbacks to a 3-2 victory on the road against Oakland Roots SC, had four shots overall, and completed 37 of 42 passes.
M – Justin Portillo, New Mexico United: The veteran playmaker recorded both assists as United rallied twice to take a 2-2 draw against San Diego Loyal SC, had four chances created overall while completing 66 of 77 passes and winning 2 of 3 duels.
M – Enzo Martinez, Birmingham Legion FC: Martinez scored the opening goal in Birmingham’s 2-0 victory against Louisville City FC on Saturday evening and won 4 of 4 tackles, 6 of 9 duels and 3 of 3 aerial duels while recording two interceptions and seven recoveries in a strong midfield display.
M – Memo Diaz, Oakland Roots SC: Diaz put in a strong display in a losing cause against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, scoring in the first half while recording three shots and two chances created overall, winning 7 of 10 duels and making 10 recoveries defensively.
F – Joaquin Rivas, Miami FC: The El Salvador international recorded the first hat trick of his professional career to lead Miami to a 3-0 victory against Hartford Athletic and back into the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
F – JJ Williams, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The center forward bagged a goal and assist against former club FC Tulsa to lead the Rowdies to a 2-1 victory on Friday night while ending the night with four shots, four chances created and winning 2 of 2 tackles.
F – Juan Tejada, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Panamanian notched the assists on Tyreek Magee’s two goals and completed 2 of 2 dribbles while completing 9 of 12 passes overall.
Bench: Carlos Herrera (MB), Marc Navarro (ELP), Alex Lara (MB), Jake Areman (TBR), Adrien Perez (SD), Matt LaGrassa (SAC), Diba Nwegbo (BHM)
To keep up to date on all things Legion FC, Legion encourages its fans 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.
