Week 4 Pro honors announced

USL News Release

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

TAMPA, FL — United Soccer Leagues announced the Team of the Week honors for the fourth week of the USL season, honoring Vancouver’s Marlon James as the USL First Division Player of the Week and Bermuda’s Damico Coddington as the USL Second Division Player of the Week.

Making his first-ever start for the Whitecaps, striker Marlon James scored a hat-trick to give the Whitecaps a second-straight victory of the year and a major boost of confidence before their midweek visit to Major League Soccer side Toronto FC and their opening match in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

In the 35th minute, Whitecaps captain Martin Nash intercepted the ball before finding the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international with a forward pass. The striker then played a give-and-go with Gbeke, with the return ball freeing James to make a run into the Thunder box and finish with the outside of his right foot past a helpless Platter for his first competitive Whitecaps goal.

The Whitecaps restored their lead in the 61st through a fine second goal from James. Nash’s deflected pass to the Caribbean marksman allowed James to turn past Thunder defender Chris Clements. The forward then used his powerful frame to fend the attentions of Olum and make a run into the Minnesota box. With his left foot, James slotted the ball past a diving Platter for his second goal of the match.

Vancouver ensured all three points when they were awarded a penalty on 88 minutes. Nash’s bicycle kick forward found James on the right-hand side. With Arze making a run into the Thunder box, the striker slipped a pass into the path of the Bolivian winger. As Arze received the ball, Olum came through the back of the ‘Caps midfielder with his knee and the challenge immediately blown down for a spot kick. With two goals already to his name, James stepped up to secure his hat-trick with a right-footed penalty finish to make it 3-2 on 90 minutes.

Last season, Damico Coddington played a minimal role for the Hogges, seeing action for a total of 378 minutes in 11 games. He scored just once in his limited opportunity. After starting in the club’s opener on the road and scoring off the bench in the second game of the trip, Coddington returned to the starting lineup upon the team’s return home and it paid dividends.

Coddington was a constant threat to the 2007 league champion Harrisburg City Islanders due to his pace and although it took much of the game, he finally broke through in the 80th minute. Strike partner Antwan Russell slipped a ball through the defense, allowing Coddington to beat the defense and connect for the opening tally.

Coddington’s play led to the second strike just five minutes later when he was taken down in the box. Russell would convert from the spot to double the lead as they held on for their first-ever victory over Harrisburg.

Comentarios

Comentarios