Tuesday, July 14, 2009
TAMPA, FL — United Soccer Leagues announced the Team of the Week honors for the 14th week of the USL season, honoring Minnesota’s Ricardo Sanchez as the USL First Division Player of the Week and Wilmington’s Jamie Watson as the USL Second Division Player of the Week.
Coming off their worst shutout defeat of the year 4-0 in Vancouver two days prior, the last-place Minnesota Thunder shocked the visiting Montreal Impact Saturday 3-0 for their second win of the year.
A fantastic free kick strike from Ricardo Sanchez just eight minutes into the match left the visitors reeling with Brian Cvilikas delivering the second blow when he beat Matt Jordan to the ball at the edge of the box, sending it into an open net. The Sanchez goal was his fourth of the campaign.
In the second half, Sanchez drove deep down the left flank, sending a cross back to the top of the area for Melvin Tarley, who put the game out of reach with a searing shot in the 72nd. It was Sanchez’s fourth assist of the year.
In his second season with the Thunder the 27-year old former Mexican youth international ranks in the top ten in the league in goals and assists, placing him third in the points table with 12.
Returning to Wilmington after a disappointing 2-1 loss to the USL-1 Rochester Rhinos in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals Tuesday, the Hammerheads took their frustrations out on the visiting Western Mass Pioneers Friday evening to the tune of 4-0 to maintain third place.
The lone goal scorer in Rochester, Jamie Watson, continued to lead the Wilmington attack with three assists before finishing the night with his co-league-leading ninth goal.
Watson found Mark Briggs in the 28th minute for the lone strike in the first half. Then he connected with defender Colvin Falvey in the 68th and Kenny Bundy three minutes later for a commanding advantage. Watson tallied in his fourth straight league game in the 84th to cap the match.
In his first season with the Hammerheads, Watson currently leads the league with 23 points on nine goals and five assists, which also ranks tied for second in the league.
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USL First Division Team of the Week
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Pos
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Name
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Team
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Highlights
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G
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Hunter Gilstrap
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Cleveland
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Three saves in 0-0 draw against Puerto Rico
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D
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Caleb Norkus
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Carolina
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Led team in 1-0 win at Charleston
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D
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Cristian Arrieta
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Puerto Rico
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Led team in two 0-0 road draws
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D
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Kenney Bertz
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Rochester
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Led team in 0-0 draw against Puerto Rico
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M
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Leo Inacio Nunes
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Miami
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Goal, assist in 2-1 win over Vancouver
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M
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Lyle Martin
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Vancouver
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Goal in 4-0 win over Minnesota
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M
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Ricardo Sanchez
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Minnesota
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Goal, assist in 3-0 win over Montreal
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M
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Johan Claesson
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Portland
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Goal in 2-1 win at Austin
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F
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Sallieu Bundu
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Carolina
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Goal in 1-0 win at Charleston
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F
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Gifton Noel-Williams
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Austin
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Goal in 2-1 loss to Portland
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F
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Marcus Haber
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Vancouver
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Goal, assist in 4-0 win over Minnesota
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USL Second Division Team of the Week
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Pos
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Name
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Team
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Highlights
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G
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Brian Rowland
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Baltimore
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Four saves in 2-0 win over Harrisburg
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D
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Colin Falvey
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Wilmington
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Led team in 4-0 win over Western Mass
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D
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Shintaro Harada
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Baltimore
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Led team in 2-0 win over Harrisburg
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D
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Luke Williams
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Charlotte
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Assist in 5-0 win over Western Mass
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M
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Paul Robson
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Baltimore
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Assist in 2-0 win over Harrisburg
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M
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Lucio Gonzaga
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Maryland
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Goal, assist in 2-1 win over Pittsburgh
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M
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Amaury Nunes
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Charlotte
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Two goals in 5-0 win over Western Mass
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M
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Dan Lader
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Baltimore
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Two goals in 2-0 win over Harrisburg
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M
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Mike Burke
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Richmond
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Goal, assist in 7-2 win over Bermuda
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F
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Jamie Watson
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Wilmington
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Goal, three assists in 4-0 win over Western Mass
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F
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Matthew Delicate
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Richmond
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Two goals, assist in 7-2 win over Bermuda
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