Sebastian Guenzatti is off to a hot start in 2021. The Tampa Bay Rowdies club captain has earned a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week for playing a part in every goal scored by the club in the 3-0 win over the Charlotte Independence over the weekend.
Guenzatti, now in his fifth season in Tampa Bay, broke the deadlock for the Rowdies in the 59th minute when he put a penalty past Charlotte keeper Brandon Miller. He then doubled the Rowdies’ lead in the 77th minute, latching on to a headed pass from center back Forrest Lasso with a header of his own in front of goal. Rather than go for the hat trick two minutes later, Guenzatti laid off a no-look pass for Rowdies veteran midfielder Leo Fernandes to slot into the goal.
Rowdies newcomer Laurence Wyke and returning keeper Evan Louro were included in the bench of the Team of the Week. Wyke played the entire match for Tampa Bay, earned the penalty to kick off the scoring, and finished the night with an 84 percent successful passing rate. Louro made three saves in his first outing of the year to keep the clean sheet intact, including a diving save to deny a chance sent to the bottom corner of the net.
Here’s a full look at Team of the Week from Week 2:
GK – Connor Sparrow, Miami FC: Sparrow recorded eight saves and three punched clearances as he helped Miami hold on for a 2-1 victory against Loudoun United FC despite playing down a man for the final 75 minutes of the contest.
D – Jorge Corrales, FC Tulsa: Corrales notched his second assist in as many games, completed 35 of 42 passes overall and three key passes while also winning 9 of 10 duels and recording four interceptions defensively in a 2-0 win against Sporting Kansas City II.
D – Nii Armah Ashitey, Hartford Athletic: Ashitey made seven interceptions and 12 recoveries, won 4 of 5 tackles and 10 of 16 duels in an impressive debut performance at the back for Hartford in its 3-2 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Friday night.
D – Grant Robinson, Rio Grande Valley FC: Robinson won 8 of 12 duels, recorded four interceptions and seven recoveries, completed 2 of 2 dribbles and notched two key passes in the Toros’ 1-0 victory against New Mexico United.
D – Bradley Bourgeois, FC Tulsa: Bourgeois won 4 of 4 tackles and made five interceptions and 15 recoveries defensively and also completed 36 of 45 passes and 2 of 5 crosses on the ball in Tulsa’s 2-0 win against Sporting Kansas City II.
M – Arthur Rogers, Hartford Athletic: Rogers found the net once and was active throughout in midfield, winning 9 of 15 duels and 5 of 6 aerial duels while recording 13 recoveries and three interceptions in Hartford’s 3-2 win against the New York Red Bulls II.
M – Kevon Lambert, Phoenix Rising FC: Lambert won 8 of 12 duels and made 11 recoveries and six interceptions before capping his performance with a long-range finish as Rising FC defeated San Diego Loyal SC on Friday night.
M – PC, San Antonio FC: The Brazilian recorded one assist and three key passes in attack and won 10 of 15 duels while recording four interceptions defensively in SAFC’s 3-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday night.
F – Santiago Patino, San Antonio FC: Making his debut for SAFC, Patino recorded a hat trick and finished with seven shots overall to lead his side to a 3-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday night.
F – Santi Moar, Phoenix Rising FC: Moar put in a standout performance with one goal, two assists and eight chances created as Phoenix romped to a 4-1 victory against San Diego Loyal SC on Friday night.
F – Sebastian Guenzatti, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Guenzatti powered the Rowdies to an opening-night victory with two goals and one assist in the side’s 3-0 victory against the Charlotte Independence on Saturday night.
Bench: Evan Louro (TBR), A.J. Cochran (IND), Sam Gleadle (SA), George Campbell (ATL), Jon Bakero (PHX), Laurence Wyke (TBR), Rodrigo Da Costa (TUL)
