TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 5 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday, with Atlanta United 2’s Aiden McFadden voted Player of the Week after recording four goals across two contests that helped his side to four points over the course of the week.
Selected with the No. 59 pick of the 2021 Major League Soccer SuperDraft by Atlanta United FC after a college career at Notre Dame, McFadden signed with ATL UTD 2 this spring and became an immediate starter for the side. This past week he broke out, first notching a pair of goals in Atlanta’s 5-0 victory against FC Tulsa on Wednesday night and then repeating the feat on Sunday afternoon, with his late equalizer earning a 10-man Atlanta side a 2-2 draw with Memphis 901 FC.
McFadden earned 71 percent of the ballot for his performances to earn the award. Phoenix Rising FC’s Rufat Dadashov finished second with 14 percent after recording two goals and hitting the woodwork twice in his side’s 5-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday night.
The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
GK – Brandon Miller, Charlotte Independence: Brandon Miller recorded a four-save shutout in Charlotte’s 1-0 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC to become only the third player in Championship history to reach 40 regular-season shutouts for his career.
D – Ryan Flood, Phoenix Rising FC: Ryan Flood won 10 of 12 duels and made three interceptions defensively and also completed 5 of 6 dribbles and 37 of 46 passes to help Phoenix to a emphatic victory against Las Vegas Lights FC.
D – Sam Hamilton, New Mexico United: Sam Hamilton went 10 of 10 in duels, won 7 of 9 tackles and made 12 recoveries defensively while also completing 32 of 42 passes in United’s 3-1 road victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
D – Mathieu Deplagne, San Antonio FC: Mathieu Deplagne made four interceptions and eight recoveries and provided the assist on what proved SAFC’s winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Birmingham Legion FC.
M – Aiden McFadden, Atlanta United 2: Aiden McFadden recorded four goals across two games as Atlanta defeated FC Tulsa and earned a late draw with Memphis 901 FC to move second in the Central Division.
M – Roald Mitchell, New York Red Bulls II: Roald Mitchell shone in his first professional start, recording one goal and drawing a penalty kick while also recording six shots overall and winning 11 of 14 duels in New York’s 2-2 draw with the Charleston Battery on Sunday.
M – Kadeem Dacres, Memphis 901 FC: Kadeem Dacres had a stellar display against Atlanta on Sunday afternoon, recording one goal and one assist and completing 3 of 4 dribbles in 901 FC’s 2-2 draw.
M – Chris Wehan, Orange County SC: Orange, Calif. native Chris Wehan had a memorable outing in his home debut for OCSC, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory against Sacramento Republic FC while also recording three key passes and eight recoveries.
F – Rufat Dadashov, Phoenix Rising FC: Rufat Dadashov scored twice, hit the woodwork twice and had eight shots overall as Phoenix set records for the most shots (41) and shots on goal (20) in a regular-season game against Las Vegas.
F – Gordon Wild, Indy Eleven: Gordon Wild recorded assists on both of Indy’s goals and had six key passes while completing 12 of 15 passes overall and winning eight duels in his side’s 2-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City II.
F – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC: Solomon Asante recorded one goal and one assist, had seven key passes and seven shots and completed 29 of 34 passes overall as Phoenix ran out to a 5-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC.
Bench: Alex Tambakis (NM), Pat McMahon (LOU), Connor Stanley (ATL), Danny Flores (OAK), Brandt Bronico (CLT), Cal Jennings (LV), Luis Solignac (ELP)
Tag(s): News Team of the Week San Antonio FC Orange County SC Phoenix Rising FC Charlotte Independence Louisville City FC New York Red Bulls II Kadeem Dacres Pat McMahon Chris Wehan Brandon Miller Alexander Tambakis Sam Hamilton Brandt Bronico Las Vegas Lights FC Atlanta United 2 Indy Eleven El Paso Locomotive FC Gordon Wild Solomon Asante New Mexico United Luis Solignac Rufat Dadashov Oakland Roots SC Daniel Flores Caleb Jennings Ryan Flood