ST PETERSBURG, Fla (May 18, 2021) – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 4 of the 2021 season on Tuesday and the Tampa Bay Rowdies are once again well represented. Forward Steevan Dos Santos and midfielder Lewis Hilton are this week’s selections from Tampa Bay of for their showings against Phoenix Rising FC.
This is Dos Santos’ second straight week making the cut for Team of the Week. To earn this week’s spot, Dos Santos played a role in both of Tampa Bay’s goals. In the 4th minute with his back to goal, Dos Santos turned and streaked toward the endline before firing in a cross that was mistakenly cleared by Phoenix’s Aodhan Quinn into his own net. It counted as an own goal, but it wouldn’t have happened without Dos Santos creating the chance and putting Phoenix under pressure early.
Dos Santos grabbed an outright goal and the ultimate winner of the match in the 61st minute after Forrest Lasso forced Phoenix’s Ben Lundt to make a stellar save to deny a header from the center back. The rebound fell right to the feet of Dos Santos in front of goal and the forward did not waste the chance to notch his second of the year.
Hilton also played a role in Dos Santos’ winner, playing in the dangerous corner kick to the back post Forrest Lasso headed toward to goal to force the save by Lundt. The Rowdies midfielder recorded a game-high five key passes and 36 passes completed passes against Phoenix. He also finished the night with 14 recoveries, helping to stymie Phoenix’s usually potent stable of attackers. Hilton and Laurence Wyke in midfield neutralized much of what Phoenix tried to do in the match with constant pressure and steadfast defense.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 4
GK – Matt VanOekel, Birmingham Legion FC (Player of the Week): Matt VanOekel not only posted a five-save shutout in Legion FC’s 1-0 win against Memphis 901 FC, but also provided the assist on Neco Brett’s game-winning goal as well.
D – Issa Rayyan, Tacoma Defiance: Issa Rayyan recorded one assist, two key passes and completed 3 of 4 dribbles in attack while defensively won 8 of 11 duels and made two tackles and three interceptions in Tacoma’s 3-1 win against San Diego Loyal SC.
D – Shannon Gomez, Sacramento Republic FC: Shannon Gomez completed 38 of 42 passes and notched one assist and two key passes while recording four interceptions in Republic FC’s 3-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC.
D – Ryan James, Birmingham Legion FC: Ryan James won 8 of 11 duels and recorded six recoveries, two interceptions and four clearances as Birmingham recorded a shutout in its 1-0 win against Memphis 901 FC at Legion Stadium.
M – Michee Ngalina, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Michee Ngalina was a menace throughout the Switchbacks’ 4-0 win against Sporting Kansas City II, recording one goal, two assists and eight key passes on Friday night.
M – Junior Etou, Charlotte Independence: Junior Etou put in an impressive display in the center of midfield, winning 13 of 17 duels and making 11 recoveries while completing 29 of 40 passes in Charlotte’s 3-0 win against the Charleston Battery.
M – Bolu Akinyode, Miami FC: Bolu Akinyode helped Miami dominate the midfield in its 1-0 win against the New York Red Bulls II, completing 48 of 55 passes, winning 9 of 15 duels and making 16 recoveries and eight interceptions.
M – Lewis Hilton, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Lewis Hilton recorded a game-high five key passes and 36 completed passes overall while recording 14 recoveries and winning 3 of 4 tackles in Tampa Bay’s 2-1 win against Phoenix Rising FC.
F – Hadji Barry, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Hadji Barry notched a pair of goals on six shots, had two key passes and completed 22 of 26 passes overall to help the Switchbacks earn a 4-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City II
F – Steevan Dos Santos, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Steevan Dos Santos shone again for his new side, scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win against Phoenix Rising FC while winning 12 of 23 duels and recording seven shots overall.
F – Dariusz Formella, Sacramento Republic FC: Dariusz Formella recorded one goal, one assist and five key passes overall to lead Republic FC to a 3-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC last Wednesday night.
Bench: John Berner (MEM), Jack Metcalf (SD), Gabriel Torres (HFD), Speedy Williams (MIA), Wan Kuzain (RGV), Sergio Rivas (NM) Irvin Parra (CLT)
