Indy Eleven defender/midfielder Neveal Hackshaw has been voted to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 12. Hackshaw was a powerhouse for Indy’s backline last Saturday against Nashville SC, as he won 10 of 14 duels, accumulated 14 recoveries and three interceptions that helped lead the team to its fifth consecutive shutout in all competitions. Hackshaw also completed over 80 percent of his passes on the evening, checking another box on the Trinidad & Tobago international’s impressive effort up and down the left flank.
Hackshaw’s Team of the Week appearance marks the fifth time a member of Indiana’s Team has made the weekly cut in 2019. Ayoze Garcia (Week 4, 11), Dane Kelly (Week 7; Player of the Week) and Evan Newton (Week 9; Player of the Week) have also earned spots in Team of the Week lineups so far this season.
Hackshaw continues to impress in the USL Eastern Conference after coming stateside three seasons ago with Charleston Battery. He made 82 appearances during his stint with the Battery, starting 32 of 33 appearances, scoring one goal and two assists during in Black and Yellow last season. Moreover, Hackshaw solidified his status as a stout defensive midfielder, having accumulated 146 clearances and 45 interceptions by the end of 2018.
Outside of league play, Hackshaw has been making a name for himself for his national team contributions. In total, Hackshaw has earned 16 caps for Trinidad & Tobago, having made his international debut with the Soca Warriors’ U-20 team in January 2015 and his senior international debut two months later as a substitute in a Copa America Centenario qualifying round against Haiti. Hackshaw’s most recent international appearance came as an impressive late-game substitute at Wales on March 20, and he’s eyeing more potential “caps” this summer after recently being named to T&T’s 40-man preliminary roster for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Indy Eleven has yet another busy week ahead, featuring a home-and-away series against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC across a pair of competitions. First, the “Boys in Blue” will head to the Steel City on Wednesday for a Third Round affair in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which kicks off from Highmark Stadium at 7:00 p.m. (streaming live online via ESPN+).
This Saturday, June 1, Indiana’s Team will turn around to welcome the Riverhounds for the last match of a five-game homestand at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff on First Responders Night for both teams’ return to USL Championship action is set for 7:00 p.m., and will be followed by the annual “Battle of the Badges” contest between the men and women of the Indianapolis Fire Department and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Tickets for next Saturday’s game remain available for as little as $15 at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.
USL Championship Team of the Week
GK – Matt Pickens, Nashville SC: Pickens made six saves over two shutouts during the week as Nashville earned four points from contests against Birmingham Legion FC and Indy Eleven.
D – Neveal Hackshaw, Indy Eleven: Hackshaw won 10 of 14 duels, made 14 recoveries and three interceptions and completed 65 of 81 passes as Indy recorded its fifth consecutive home shutout against Nashville SC.
D – Christian Torres, Las Vegas Lights: Torres made a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve Lights FC’s shutout and completed 47 of 58 passes while recording two interceptions and three recoveries.
D – Sam Brotherton, North Carolina FC: Brotherton scored the opening goal and won 10 of 11 duels overall while making seven clearances, two tackles and two interceptions in a 2-1 road win against the New York Red Bulls II.
D – Alvin Jones, OKC Energy FC: Jones helped Energy FC record a shutout as he won 7 of 10 duels and recorded four tackles, two clearances and one blocked shot against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
M – Santi Moar, New Mexico United: Moar scored a pair of goals and played a key role in New Mexico’s third as NMU became the first side to defeat Austin Bold FC on its home turf this season.
M – Chavany Willis, Bethlehem Steel FC: Willis scored both goals, won 5 of 7 duels and made six recoveries as Steel FC rallied from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Louisville City FC.
M – Jose Aguinaga, Phoenix Rising FC: Aguinaga recorded two assists and three key passes while completing 32 of 37 passes overall in Rising FC’s 4-2 comeback victory against Real Monarchs SLC.
M – Leo Fernandes, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Fernandes scored the game-winner, won 13 of 17 duels and recorded five key passes as the Rowdies defeated the Swope Park Rangers to remain undefeated.
F – Michael Salazar, Rio Grande Valley FC: Salazar scored twice to lead the Toros to victory in the South Texas Derby against San Antonio FC at H-E-B Park.
F – Qudus Lawal, Fresno FC: Lawal scored a goal in each of the Foxes’ two contests during the week, notching the game-winner against Austin Bold FC on Wednesday night, and also recorded four key passes.
Bench: Brendan Moore (ATL), Ken Tribbett (NSH), Diego Casillas (FRS), Alexy Bosetti (OKC), Shandon Hopeau (TAC), Sebastian Dalgaard (HFD), Zeiko Lewis (CHS)
Indy Eleven defender/midfielder Neveal Hackshaw has been voted to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 12. Hackshaw was a powerhouse for Indy’s backline last Saturday against Nashville SC, as he won 10 of 14 duels, accumulated 14 recoveries and three interceptions that helped lead the team to its fifth consecutive shutout in all competitions. Hackshaw also completed over 80 percent of his passes on the evening, checking another box on the Trinidad & Tobago international’s impressive effort up and down the left flank.
Hackshaw’s Team of the Week appearance marks the fifth time a member of Indiana’s Team has made the weekly cut in 2019. Ayoze Garcia (Week 4, 11), Dane Kelly (Week 7; Player of the Week) and Evan Newton (Week 9; Player of the Week) have also earned spots in Team of the Week lineups so far this season.
Hackshaw continues to impress in the USL Eastern Conference after coming stateside three seasons ago with Charleston Battery. He made 82 appearances during his stint with the Battery, starting 32 of 33 appearances, scoring one goal and two assists during in Black and Yellow last season. Moreover, Hackshaw solidified his status as a stout defensive midfielder, having accumulated 146 clearances and 45 interceptions by the end of 2018.
Outside of league play, Hackshaw has been making a name for himself for his national team contributions. In total, Hackshaw has earned 16 caps for Trinidad & Tobago, having made his international debut with the Soca Warriors’ U-20 team in January 2015 and his senior international debut two months later as a substitute in a Copa America Centenario qualifying round against Haiti. Hackshaw’s most recent international appearance came as an impressive late-game substitute at Wales on March 20, and he’s eyeing more potential “caps” this summer after recently being named to T&T’s 40-man preliminary roster for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Indy Eleven has yet another busy week ahead, featuring a home-and-away series against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC across a pair of competitions. First, the “Boys in Blue” will head to the Steel City on Wednesday for a Third Round affair in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which kicks off from Highmark Stadium at 7:00 p.m. (streaming live online via ESPN+).
This Saturday, June 1, Indiana’s Team will turn around to welcome the Riverhounds for the last match of a five-game homestand at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff on First Responders Night for both teams’ return to USL Championship action is set for 7:00 p.m., and will be followed by the annual “Battle of the Badges” contest between the men and women of the Indianapolis Fire Department and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Tickets for next Saturday’s game remain available for as little as $15 at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.
USL Championship Team of the Week
GK – Matt Pickens, Nashville SC: Pickens made six saves over two shutouts during the week as Nashville earned four points from contests against Birmingham Legion FC and Indy Eleven.
D – Neveal Hackshaw, Indy Eleven: Hackshaw won 10 of 14 duels, made 14 recoveries and three interceptions and completed 65 of 81 passes as Indy recorded its fifth consecutive home shutout against Nashville SC.
D – Christian Torres, Las Vegas Lights: Torres made a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve Lights FC’s shutout and completed 47 of 58 passes while recording two interceptions and three recoveries.
D – Sam Brotherton, North Carolina FC: Brotherton scored the opening goal and won 10 of 11 duels overall while making seven clearances, two tackles and two interceptions in a 2-1 road win against the New York Red Bulls II.
D – Alvin Jones, OKC Energy FC: Jones helped Energy FC record a shutout as he won 7 of 10 duels and recorded four tackles, two clearances and one blocked shot against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
M – Santi Moar, New Mexico United: Moar scored a pair of goals and played a key role in New Mexico’s third as NMU became the first side to defeat Austin Bold FC on its home turf this season.
M – Chavany Willis, Bethlehem Steel FC: Willis scored both goals, won 5 of 7 duels and made six recoveries as Steel FC rallied from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Louisville City FC.
M – Jose Aguinaga, Phoenix Rising FC: Aguinaga recorded two assists and three key passes while completing 32 of 37 passes overall in Rising FC’s 4-2 comeback victory against Real Monarchs SLC.
M – Leo Fernandes, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Fernandes scored the game-winner, won 13 of 17 duels and recorded five key passes as the Rowdies defeated the Swope Park Rangers to remain undefeated.
F – Michael Salazar, Rio Grande Valley FC: Salazar scored twice to lead the Toros to victory in the South Texas Derby against San Antonio FC at H-E-B Park.
F – Qudus Lawal, Fresno FC: Lawal scored a goal in each of the Foxes’ two contests during the week, notching the game-winner against Austin Bold FC on Wednesday night, and also recorded four key passes.
Bench: Brendan Moore (ATL), Ken Tribbett (NSH), Diego Casillas (FRS), Alexy Bosetti (OKC), Shandon Hopeau (TAC), Sebastian Dalgaard (HFD), Zeiko Lewis (CHS)
