In the final week of the USL Championship Regular Season, El Paso Locomotive FC recorded two clean sheets in a hard-fought scoreless draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and a dominating 4-0 victory over Real Monarchs. Donning the captain’s armband and playing a pivotal role in each match to earn a spot on the USL Championship Week 15 Team of the Week was Yuma.
Playing the full 180 minutes across both matches, Yuma completed a staggering 132 of 135 passes (98%) while winning 75% of his duels. The Spaniard helped secure the two clean sheets to keep the undefeated run going by making 10 tackles, nine clearances and four interceptions, to gain possession for Los Locos an incredible 13 times against both Colorado Springs and the Monarchs.
The veteran presence in the holding midfield and the versatility to drop into the center back position, the 34-year-old defender is a commanding force in the Locomotive defending third. Yuma’s world-class display through a tight week earned him a nod on the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 15.
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.
See below for the full USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 15, presented by Cleer Audio:
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 15
GK – Rafael Diaz, Sacramento Republic FC: Diaz recorded an eight-save shutout as Republic FC took a 4-0 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday night to close the club’s regular season at Papa Murphy’s Park.
D – Yuma, El Paso Locomotive FC: The Spaniard helped Locomotive FC record two shutouts over the week, winning 12 of 16 duels and four interceptions while completing 132 of 135 passes as El Paso claimed first place in Group C.
D – Duke Lacroix, Charlotte Independence: Lacroix put in a strong shift as the Independence shut out North Carolina FC to clinch first place in Group G with a 1-0 win, winning 7 of 9 duels and 2 of 2 tackles, while completing 46 of 51 passes.
D – Danny Reynolds, Tacoma Defiance: Reynolds recorded two assists across two games, won 9 of 13 duels and made 10 clearances as Tacoma faced Sacramento Republic FC and Reno 1868 FC to conclude its regular season.
M – Kembo Kibato, Rio Grande Valley FC: Kibato recorded a pair of assists and completed 22 of 24 passes overall while winning 5 of 8 duels and 2 of 2 tackles in the Toros’ 4-2 victory against OKC Energy FC to close the regular season.
M – Sam Stanton, Phoenix Rising FC: Stanton scored twice as Rising FC ended its regular season with a 4-1 win against the LA Galaxy II, and also completed 27 of 33 passes and recorded four interceptions.
M – Dariusz Formella, Sacramento Republic FC: Formella had two goals and one assist as Republic FC scored four goals in the opening 25 minutes against the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday night at Papa Murphy’s Park.
M – Sebastian Velasquez, Miami FC: Velasquez had two goals and one assist across two games as Miami wrapped up the season with wins against the Charleston Battery and Atlanta United 2, while completing 30 of 38 passes overall.
F – Cal Jennings, Memphis 901 FC: Jennings capped his first professional season with a hat trick against Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday night, while recording four shots on goal and completing 2 of 3 dribbles.
F – Chandler Hoffman, Orange County SC: Hoffman recorded his second hat trick in the Championship as Orange County SC took a 4-2 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC, while also completing 12 of 14 passes and recording four shots overall.
F – Augustine Williams, LA Galaxy II: Williams scored three goals across two games, including a pair of tallies as Los Dos clinched a place in the 2020 Championship Playoffs with victory against Orange County SC, and completed 29 of 35 passes for the week.
Bench: Brandon Miller (CLT), Rodrigo Da Costa (TUL), Wal Fall (STL), Ema Twumasi (ATX), Fredlin Mompremier (SKC), Stavros Zarokostas (CHS), Tobenna Uzo (TUL)