Brazilian’s Goal & Assist vs. Orange County SC Helped Boys in Blue Stretch Win Streak to Three Games, Undefeated Run to Five
Forward Stefano Pinho Named to USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 7
Brazilian’s Goal & Assist vs. Orange County SC Helped Boys in Blue Stretch Win Streak to Three Games, Undefeated Run to Five
TAMPA/INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, April 26, 2022) – Indy Eleven forward Stefano Pinho today became the latest member of Indiana’s Team to be recognized as a member of the USL Championship Team of the Week, a fitting reward for his action-packed Week 7 performance on Sunday evening during Indy’s 3-1 win over defending USL Championship title holder Orange County SC.
Pinho’s placement makes this the second straight week one of the Boys in Blue have landed on the league’s Best XI following on the heels of Nicky Law’s Week 6 plaudit. Goalkeeper Elliot Panicco also garnered a nod on the Team of the Week for his efforts against Louisville City FC back in Week 3.
Pinho was all over the pitch on Sunday against OCSC and his dogged effort helped move the scoreboard in the 54th minute when he won a ball on the endline and cut a pass back to assist on Noah Powder’s equalizing goal. Pinho steered the Boys in Blue into the lead for good 10 minutes later, as he crashed into the six-yard box to beat an OCSC defender to Manuel Arteaga’s looping cross. Pinho was also not afraid to do the dirty work, as he won nine duels and seven aerial duels to help win possession repeatedly for his Boys in Blue.
Sunday’s game-winning goal was Pinho’s team-high fourth tally, all coming in the last five contests. That run of production coincides with the team’s five-match undefeated streak, including wins the last three times out. Pinho currently ranks tied for fourth across the 27-team USL Championship with his four tallies and is tied for eighth in the Championship with 16 shots taken.
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. Continue below to see the full Week 7 Team of the Week membership.
Indy Eleven (3W-2D-2L, 11 pts., 5th in Eastern Conf.) will look to keep its red-hot form this Saturday, April 30, when it closes a three-game homestand against Hartford Athletic (0W-5L-1D, 1 pt., 14th in Eastern Conf.). Kickoff at IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Tickets for that game – including prorated Season Ticket Memberships, discounted tickets and special fan experiences for groups of 10 or more, numerous premium hospitality options, $20 seats on the Heineken Party Deck, and single-game tickets starting at $15 – and all remaining matches at “The Mike” can be purchased online at indyeleven.com/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.
Fans that can’t make it in person can follow #INDvHFD on MyINDY-TV 23, ESPN+, Exitos Radio 94.3 FM / exitos943.com, and the @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 7
GK – Jordan Farr, San Antonio FC: Farr posted a two-save shutout and commanded his penalty area well with three caught crosses as San Antonio recorded its third consecutive 1-0 victory in league action for its first victory all-time on the road against New Mexico United at Isotopes Park.
D – Kevon Lambert, Phoenix Rising FC: Lambert scored the game-tying goal for the hosts as part of a strong all-around performance that saw him complete 63 of 74 passes, win 6 of 8 duels and 5 of 6 aerial duels and recording four interceptions and 10 recoveries in a 2-1 win against Miami FC.
D – Malik Johnson, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Johnson put in a strong defensive display in the Switchbacks’ 2-0 road win at FC Tulsa, winning 10 of 11 duels and making eight recoveries while also completing 6 of 7 dribbles and 32 of 39 passes.
D – Frank Nodarse, Rio Grande Valley FC: The Cuban put in a stellar individual display, winning 15 of 18 duels, 5 of 6 aerial duels and 4 of 6 tackles while also making three interceptions as the Toros took a 2-1 win against Sacramento Republic FC.
M – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Jamaican recorded two assists to move to 49 regular-season helpers for his career and also logged five shots and five chances created overall in a 4-0 win against Atlanta United 2.
M – Luka Malesevic, Rio Grande Valley FC: Malesevic scored the opening goal for the Toros in their 2-1 win against Sacramento Republic FC and won 9 of 12 duels, 3 of 4 aerial duels, and 3 of 4 tackles while making nine recoveries defensively.
M – Michee Ngalina, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Ngalina had one assist, three shots and three key passes and kept FC Tulsa’s defense on its heels while completing 7 of 8 dribbles as well as winning 8 of 11 duels in Colorado Springs’ 2-0 victory at ONEOK Field.
M – Maxi Rodriguez, Detroit City FC: Rodriguez helped drive Detroit, completing 55 of 67 passes and recording one assist, two shots and four chances created while also making four interceptions and nine recoveries defensively in the side’s 2-1 win at Hartford Athletic.
F – Dane Kelly, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Kelly moved into a tie for the league-lead with six goals this season after notching a pair of goals on three shots while also completing 9 of 11 passes in the Hounds’ 4-0 victory against Atlanta United 2.
F – Enzo Martinez, Birmingham Legion FC: Martinez recorded his first goal for Legion FC and an assist while also recording two shots and six chances created to help send the side on its way to a 2-1 win at Loudoun United FC.
F – Stefano Pinho, Indy Eleven: The Brazilian notched a goal and assist to lead Indy back from a halftime deficit to a 3-1 victory against Orange County SC on Sunday, and also won nine duels and seven aerial duels leading the attacking line for the Boys in Blue.
Bench: Jeff Caldwell (COS), Fabien Garcia (SA), Luis Seijas (PHX), Zach Zandi (COS), Danny Crisostomo (LV), Luis Argudo (PIT), Enoch Mushagalusa (LOU)
