TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 9 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with Legion FC’s Enzo Martinez earning a spot after his performance against FC Tulsa on Saturday
Martinez scored the first goal in Legion FC’s comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against FC Tulsa. On top of scoring a goal he had five shots and two chances created overall while completing 24 of 31 passes and winning 2 of 2 tackles. This is the first time Martinez has been named to the Team of the Week this season.
Stefano Pinho was named to the Team of the Week bench for a show-stopping performance, earning himself his first TOTW honor of the season. The Brazilian scored the stoppage time goal in the 94th minute giving the Black & Gold the equalizer. Pinho ended the night with three clearances and won eight of 11 duels.
Tyler Pasher was named to the Team of the Week bench for his performance, earning himself his first TOTW honor of the season. Pinho supplied the assist to Pinho’s 94-minute goal, his fourth assist of the season. The Canadian finished the game with nine chances created and completed 35 of 43 passes.
Memphis 901 FC forward Marlon Santos was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording two goals and one assist in his side’s 4-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday afternoon, a result that handed Tampa Bay its first defeat of the season.
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 – Nate Steinwascher, Detroit City FC: The local standout posted a four-save shutout in treacherous weather conditions against Loudoun United FC at Segra Field to help Le Rouge earn a scoreless draw on the road.
D – Junior Etou, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Congolese full back provided a brilliant assist for the only goal in the Hounds’ 1-0 win against Miami FC, completed 3 of 4 dribbles overall, and won one tackle and 8 of 11 overall duels in a strong all-around performance.
D – Matt Mahoney, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The veteran center back won 2 of 2 tackles, 8 of 11 aerial duels and made three interceptions, seven clearances and eight recoveries in helping the Switchbacks take victory against El Paso Locomotive FC.
D – Abdi Mohamed, New Mexico United: The Somalian international had a stellar debut for United, recording one assist and three chances created while completing 34 of 44 passes overall and winning 6 of 8 duels defensively.
M – Jorge Hernandez, San Antonio FC: The 2023 Championship Golden Playmaker notched his fifth assist of the season and had two chances created while completing 20 of 23 passes and 3 of 6 dribbles in SAFC’s 2-2 draw against Oakland Roots SC.
M – Jack Blake, Indy Eleven: The English midfielder completed 39 of 48 passes and had two chances created while winning 11 of 14 ground duels and 3 of 5 tackles and notching seven shots in Indy’s 1-0 victory on the road at Monterey Bay F.C.
M – Chris Allan, Charleston Battery: The English midfielder recorded one assist, had two shots and two chances created overall, and completed 42 of 54 passes while defensively he notched 10 recoveries and two interceptions in central midfield.
M – Enzo Martinez, Birmingham Legion FC: Martinez scored the first goal in Birmingham’s comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against FC Tulsa and had five shots and two chances created overall while completing 24 of 31 passes and winning 2 of 2 tackles.
F – Marlon Santos, Memphis 901 FC: The Brazilian recorded two goal and one assist as 901 FC handed the Tampa Bay Rowdies their first loss of the season in a 4-1 victory at AutoZone Park, recording six shots overall and winning 7 of 8 duels.
F – Ronaldo Damus, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Haiti international scored both goals as Colorado Springs won its second consecutive outing with a victory against El Paso Locomotive FC and recorded four shots on target overall.
F – Daniel Bruce, New Mexico United: The United original scored both goals as New Mexico took a 2-1 win on the road at Las Vegas Lights FC and completed 12 of 19 passes overall.
Coach – Stephen Glass, Memphis 901 FC: Glass’ squad handed the Tampa Bay Rowdies their first defeat of the season in emphatic style with a 4-1 victory at AutoZone Park that also earned 901 FC its second consecutive league victory.
Bench – Adam Grinwis (CHS), Adrian Diz Pe (IND), Bura Nogueira (SA), Tyler Pasher (BHM), Dylan Borczak (MEM), Phillip Goodrum (TUL), Stefano Pinho (BHM)
