Diallo named USL-1 Player of the Week
USL News Release
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced the USL First Division Team of the Week honors Tuesday for Week 23 of the season, honoring Carolina’s Hamed Diallo as the final Player of the Week for the 2008 season.
Facing a two-game must-win situation, the Carolina RailHawks opened the weekend with a 2-1 road victory Friday night over the Charleston Battery, who posted the league high in home wins this season. Leading the charge was midseason acquisition Hamed Diallo, who provided both tallies in the first half.
It took only eight minutes for the RailHawks to find the back of the net. Diallo picked up a ball played through the middle by Matt Watson and found himself unmarked and alone in front of Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock easily shooting a rocket past him for the 1-0 lead.
Diallo would score again in the 24th minute when Kupono Low sent a free kick down the right side to Santiago Fusilier, who crossed it over to the RailHawks’ leading scorer to set the score at 2-0 for the break.
Carolina would hold on for the victory and win again the following night only to see their playoff hopes dashed in Minnesota less than an hour after their victory Saturday as the Thunder’s 3-1 score went final against Montreal.
The two strikes would leave Diallo the team’s leading scorer for the season with seven goals despite playing in just 16 games for Carolina. He began the season in Rochester, but was unable to find the back of the net in eight games after scoring nine for the Rhinos last season.
USL First Division Team of the Week
Pos Name Team Highlights
G Justin Myers Puerto Rico Six saves in 0-0 draw at Montreal
D Walter Ramirez Miami Led team to 1-0 win over Atlanta
D Cristian Arrieta Puerto Rico Goal in 1-1 draw against Atlanta
D Frankie Sanfilippo Carolina Led team in pair of wins
D Jeff Clarke Vancouver Goal in 3-2 win at Seattle
M Martin Nunez Carolina Goal in 1-0 win over Portland
M Ricardo Sanchez Minnesota Goal in 3-1 win over Montreal
M Justin Moose Vancouver Goal, assist in 3-2 win at Seattle
F Brian Cvilikas Minnesota Goal in 3-1 win over Montreal
F Hamed Diallo Carolina Two goals in 2-1 win at Charleston
F Jason McLaughlin Atlanta Goal in 1-1 draw at Puerto Rico