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USL Championship News & Notes | Week 27

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/07/22, 12:00PM EDT

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LouCity’s Sean Totsch equals single-season record, Loudoun’s Zamudio stones Memphis, Atlanta’s Conway joins notable club


Louisville City FC's Sean Totsch has recorded eight goals so far this season, equaling the record for most goals by a defender in a single USL Championship regular season. | Photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Louisville City FC

Welcome to this week’s edition of the USL Championship News & Notes, in which we look at Louisville City FC’s Sean Totsch’s goalscoring exploits, a notable weekend reunion for one of the Championship’s coaches, and a notable individual landmark for one of the league’s top young goalscorers.

Here’s more on all of that, plus your regular look ahead to notable upcoming landmarks for players across the USL Championship and the Week 27 Discipline Report.

NEWS AND NOTES

LOUISVILLE CITY FC’S SEAN TOTSCH EQUALS SINGLE-SEASON RECORD FOR GOALS BY DEFENDER
Louisville City FC’s Sean Totsch recorded his eighth goal of the season on Saturday night in his side’s 3-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC. In doing so, Totsch equaled the single season record for goals by a player designated as a defender in the Championship’s history, joining Atlanta United 2’s Aiden McFadden (2021) and former Wilmington Hammerheads FC player Bruno Perone (2016).

A USL Championship All-League First Team selection each of the past two seasons, Totsch has been buoyed by his proficiency from the penalty spot, which also marked Perone’s season for the Hammerheads. Totsch is a perfect 4 of 4 from the penalty spot, while Perone went 3 of 3 during the 2016 season.

Most Goals in a USL Championship Regular Season by a Defender
T-1. Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC (2022) – 8
T-1. Aiden McFadden, Atlanta United 2 (2021) – 8
T-1. Bruno Perone, Wilmington Hammerheads FC (2016) – 8
T-4. Sam Fink, Saint Louis FC (2019) – 7
T-4. Daniel Steres, Wilmington Hammerheads FC (2014) – 7
T-4. Luca Lobo, FC Tulsa (2019)
T-7. Rob Valentino, Orlando City SC (2013) – 6
T-7. Donny Toia, Phoenix FC (2013) – 6
T-7. Forrest Lasso, Charleston Battery (2017) – 6
T-7. Ken Tribbett, Harrisburg City Islanders (2018) – 6
T-7. Macauley King, El Paso Locomotive FC (2021) – 6

PHOENIX VS. OAKLAND CLASH MARKS FIRST IN CHAMPIONSHIP COACHING HISTORY


Phoenix Rising FC Head Coach Juan Guerra will become the first to see his side face his former club in the same season as his departure when Rising FC hosts Oakland Roots SC on Saturday at Wild Horse Pass. | Photo courtesy Isaiah J. Downing / Colorado Spr

Saturday night’s contest between Phoenix Rising FC and Oakland Roots SC will mark a first in USL Championship history following Juan Guerra’s move to take the helm at Rising FC on August 22, with Guerra set to be the first Head Coach to face a former club in the same season as his departure.

In the Championship’s history there have only been six prior instances of a Head Coach facing his former club in a contest, with five of those having been through Frank Yallop, who has coached Phoenix Rising FC, Las Vegas Lights FC, and Monterey Bay F.C. during his time in the league.

Games Featuring Head Coaches Facing Former Clubs in USL Championship History
Phoenix Rising FC 5, Las Vegas Lights FC 1 – 2020, Frank Yallop (LV)
Las Vegas Lights FC 3, Phoenix Rising FC 2 – 2020, Frank Yallop (LV)
Phoenix Rising FC 2, Las Vegas Lights FC 0 – 2020, Frank Yallop (LV)
Real Monarchs SLC 2, Sacramento Republic FC 0 – 2021, Mark Briggs (SAC)
Phoenix Rising FC 4, Monterey Bay F.C. 2 – 2022, Frank Yallop (MB)
Monterey Bay F.C. 1, Las Vegas Lights FC 0 – 2022, Frank Yallop (MB)

LOUDOUN UNITED’S ZAMUDIO SETS NEW SEASON HIGH FOR SAVES IN SHUTOUT

Loudoun United FC’s Luis Zamudio recorded a nine-save shutout in his side’s 1-0 victory against Memphis 901 FC last Wednesday night, marking a new high for saves in a shutout this season in the USL Championship. Zamudio’s feat falls just outside the Top 10 in the Championship’s history, with 10 goalkeepers having recorded double-digit saves in a clean sheet previously in the league’s regular season.

Most Saves in a Shutout in the USL Championship’s Regular Season
1. Carl Woszczynski – Phoenix Rising FC vs. Orange County SC, 7/6/15 – 13
2. Alex Mangels – FC Tulsa vs. Rio Grande Valley FC, 3/26/16 – 12
T-3. Angelo Cavalluzzo – Toronto FC II at Louisville City FC, 4/29/17 – 11
T-3. Cody Laurendi – OKC Energy FC at Las Vegas Lights FC, 9/29/18 – 11
T-3. Tomas Romero – Philadelphia Union II at Louisville City FC, 7/20/19 – 11
T-6. Earl Edwards Jr. – Orlando City B vs. Ottawa Fury FC, 8/16/17 – 10
T-6. Andre Rawls – Wilmington Hammerheads FC at New York Red Bulls II, 4/12/15 – 10
T-6. Ryan Taylor – Richmond Kickers vs. Charlotte Independence, 4/18/15 – 10
T-6. Quillan Roberts – Toronto FC II at Harrisburg City Islanders, 6/6/15 – 10
T-6. Charlie Lyon – Tacoma Defiance vs. Real Monarchs SLC, 6/25/15 – 10

ATLANTA’S CONWAY HITS DOUBLE DIGITS AS U-21


Atlanta United 2's Jackson Conway became the seventh player to record a double-digit goal season in the USL Championship before turning 21 years old this past Saturday night against FC Tulsa. | Photo courtesy FC Tulsa

Atlanta United 2’s Jackson Conway set a new club record on Saturday night as his two-goal performance took him to 10th goals this season, surpassing Aiden McFadden’s single-season club record of eight goals set a year ago. Additionally, Conway became the seventh player to record a double-digit season before turning 21 years of age in the USL Championship’s history, a group led by current LA Galaxy standout and 2018 Championship Young Player of the Year Efrain Alvarez.

Youngest Players to Record 10 goals in a USL Championship Regular Season
1. Efrain Alvarez, LA Galaxy II (2018) – 16 years, 95 days
2. Mathias Jorgensen, New York Red Bulls II (2019) – 19 years, 7 days
3. Faris Moumbagna, Philadelphia Union II (2019) – 19 years, 103 days
4. Wilson Harris, Sporting Kansas City II (2019) – 19 years, 306 days
5. Ethan Zubak, LA Galaxy II (2018) – 20 years, 125 days
6. Jackson Conway, Atlanta United 2 (2022) – 20 years, 274 days
7. Jorge Hernandez, LA Galaxy II (2021) – 20 years, 325 days

Upcoming Player Milestones


Monterey Bay F.C.'s Christian Volesky is one goal from reaching 50 regular season tallies in the USL Championship for his career going into Wednesday night's game against Orange County SC. | Photo courtesy Monterey Bay F.C.

Appearances
Approaching 200 regular-season appearances

Sean Totsch (LOU) – 198
Lebo Moloto (TUL) – 198
Lewis Hilton (TBR) – 196

Approaching 150 regular-season appearances
Conor Donovan (SAC) – 148
Mikey Lopez (BHM) – 148
Paco Craig (MIA) – 147
Russell Cicerone (PIT) – 147

Approaching 100 regular-season appearances
Arun Basuljevic (MB) – 99
Sam Hamilton (NM) – 98
Robbie Mertz (PIT) – 98
Joe Kuzminsky (CHS) – 97
Jake Areman (TBR) – 97
Alex Crognale (BHM) – 97  

Minutes
Approaching 15,000 regular-season minutes

Justin Portillo (NM) – 14,867
Lebo Moloto (TUL) – 14,836
Kyle Greig (TBR) – 14,809

Approaching 10,000 regular-season minutes
Chris Cortez (MB) – 9,929
Matt LaGrassa (SAC) – 9,927
Seth Casiple (OC) – 9,914
Thomas Vancaeyezeele (TBR) – 9,905

Goals
Approaching 75 regular season goals

Cameron Lancaster (LOU) – 73

Approaching 50 regular season goals
Christian Volesky (MB) – 49
Alex Dixon (PIT) – 48
Chris Wehan (NM) – 48

Assists
Approaching 30 regular season assists

Oscar Jimenez (LOU) – 29
Lewis Hilton (TBR) – 28
Leo Fernandes (TBR) – 28
Niall McCabe (LOU) – 27
Justin Portillo (NM) – 27

Saves
Approaching 300 regular season saves

CJ Cochran (TBR) – 298

Shutouts
Approaching 60 regular-season shutouts
Evan Newton (ELP) – 58

Approaching 40 regular-season shutouts
Matt VanOekel (BHM) – 38
Alex Tambakis (NM) – 38

Approaching 30 regular-season shutouts
Joe Kuzminsky (CHS) – 29
CJ Cochran (TBR) – 29

Discipline Report – Week 27

TAMPA, Fla. – The following is the USL Championship’s discipline report for Week 27 of the 2022 USL Championship season:

San Diego Loyal SC’s Kyle Adams has been suspended for one game following his red card for denial of a goalscoring opportunity against Monterey Bay F.C. on September 3. Adams will be unavailable for selection in San Diego’s contest against San Antonio FC on Saturday night.

Phoenix Rising FC’s Darnell King has been suspended for one game following his red card for two cautionable offenses against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on September 3. King will be unavailable for Phoenix’s contest against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday night.

El Paso Locomotive FC’s Josue Aaron Gomez has been suspended for one game for caution accumulation following his eighth yellow card of the of the season against New Mexico United on September 2. Gomez will be unavailable for selection in El Paso’s contest against Rio Grande Valley FC on Wednesday night.

San Antonio FC’s Jasser Khmiri has been suspended for one game for caution accumulation following his eighth yellow card of the of the season against Oakland Roots SC on September 3. Khmiri will be unavailable for selection in San Antonio’s contest against San Diego Loyal SC on Saturday night.

Phoenix Rising FC assistant coach Marcos Reina has been suspended for one game following his red card for misuse of electronic equipment during the side’s contest against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on September 3. Reina will serve his suspension during Phoenix’s contest against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday night.

Indy Eleven’s Neveal Hackshaw was suspended for one game for caution accumulation following his eighth yellow card of the of the season against Louisville City FC on August 31. Hackshaw served his suspension during Indy’s contest against Detroit City FC on September 3.

Indy Eleven assistant coach Matt Williams was suspended for one game following his red card for abusive language against Louisville City FC on August 31. Williams served his suspension during Indy’s contest against Detroit City FC on September 3.

Memphis 901 FC’s Graham Smith was suspended for one game following his red card for two cautionable offenses against Loudoun United FC on August 31. Smith served his suspension during Memphis’ contest against Orange County SC on September 3.

Memphis 901 FC Head Coach Ben Pirmann was suspended for one game following his red card for abusive language against Loudoun United FC on August 31. Pirmann served his suspension during Memphis’ contest against Orange County SC on September 3.

Memphis 901 FC’s Leston Paul is no longer on caution accumulation warning following his earning a good behavior incentive after five consecutive games without a yellow card. Paul is now on six yellow cards this season.

FC Tulsa’s Gabriel Torres is no longer on caution accumulation warning following his earning a good behavior incentive after five consecutive games without a yellow card. Torres is now on six yellow cards this season.

The following players enter the upcoming matches one caution away from a yellow card accumulation suspension for their eighth yellow card of the season. Here is the breakdown per club:

  • Birmingham Legion FC (1): Marlon

  • Charleston Battery (1): Preston Kilwien

  • Indy Eleven (1): Jesus Vazquez

  • New York Red Bulls II (1): Curtis Ofori

  • Phoenix Rising FC (1): Joe Farrell

  • Rio Grande Valley FC (1): Erik Pimentel

  • Sacramento Republic FC (1): Luis Felipe Fernandes

  • San Diego Loyal SC (2): Kyle Adams, Alejandro Guido

  • FC Tulsa (1): Noah Powder

The following players enter the upcoming matches one caution away from a yellow card accumulation suspension for their 11th yellow card of the season. Here is the breakdown per club:

  • Charleston Battery (1): Romario Piggott

  • Hartford Athletic (1): Younes Boudadi

  • Sacramento Republic FC (1): Rodrigo Lopez

  • FC Tulsa (1): Adrian Diz Pe

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