TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 22 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Las Vegas Lights FC midfielder Tabort Etaka Preston voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after leading his side to a 2-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC with a pair of outstanding finishes at Cashman Field.

The lone player to have previously competed for Lights FC during the club’s offseason squad overhaul, the Cameroonian winger put in his strongest performance of the season on Saturday night as Lights FC took its first home win of the campaign. Preston opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a brilliant shot to the top-left corner from 25 yards that is nominated for the Championship’s Goal of the Week award. He followed it with a second goal nine minutes later as he picked up possession in the Toros’ half, wove past two defenders into the penalty area and slotted home to the left corner.

Preston earned 78 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Orange County SC’s Thomas Amang and San Antonio FC’s Jorge Hernandez finished tied for second on 11 percent apiece after Amang scored twice to lead OCSC to a 3-1 victory on the road at San Diego Loyal SC, while Hernandez notched both assists as SAFC rallied for a 2-1 win against Phoenix Rising FC.

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 – Joe Rice, Hartford Athletic: Rice recorded six saves, including four diving saves, and caught three crosses as he played a key role in Hartford Athletic’s comeback 2-1 victory at home against New Mexico United.

D – Oscar Jimenez, Louisville City FC: Jimenez earned his second consecutive selection after winning 5 of 5 duels and 3 of 3 tackles defensively while recording three chances created and completing 18 of 21 passes in LouCity’s 3-0 victory against FC Tulsa.

D – Mark Segbers, Miami FC: Segbers notched one assist and completed 44 of 48 passes overall while defensively making three interceptions, two clearances and five recoveries in Miami’s 4-0 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC.

D – Mitchell Taintor, San Antonio FC: The reigning Championship Defender of the Year won 5 of 5 aerial duels and recorded three chances created and two shots on set pieces, while also making three clearances and nine recoveries defensively in San Antonio’s victory in Phoenix.

D – Conor McGlynn, Hartford Athletic: McGlynn recorded one assist and completed 61 of 65 passes overall while defensively he won 3 of 3 tackles and 3 of 4 duels while making six clearances in the Athletic’s 2-1 win against New Mexico United.

M – Tabort Etaka Preston, Las Vegas Lights FC: The Cameroonian scored both goals as Las Vegas took its first home win of the season, defeating Rio Grande Valley FC, and completed 7 of 9 dribbles while winning 13 of 15 duels and 2 of 3 aerial duels.

M – Jorge Hernandez, San Antonio FC: Hernandez recorded two assists in SAFC’s 2-1 victory against Phoenix Rising FC, recorded five chances created overall, and completed 32 of 40 passes and 4 of 5 dribbles in his side’s comeback win.

M – Gabriel Cabral, Miami FC: The Brazilian capped Miami’s victory against El Paso Locomotive FC with a highlight-reel goal having previously been brought down for a penalty, and completed 55 of 58 passes while recording two shots and two chances created.

F – Thomas Amang, Orange County SC: Amang scored twice to lead OCSC to a 3-1 victory against former club San Diego Loyal SC, had four shots overall, completed 4 of 4 dribbles and also won 7 of 9 duels.

F – Joaquin Rivas, Miami FC: The El Salvador international scored twice in Miami’s 4-0 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC and had five shots overall while completing 28 of 33 passes and recording two chances created.

F – Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC: Lancaster recorded a goal and assist in LouCity’s 3-0 victory on the road against FC Tulsa and had six shots and two chances created overall in his side’s road win.

Bench: Jahmali Waite (PIT), Amadou Dia (LOU), Akeem Ward (MEM), Juan Tejada (COS), Aaron Molloy (MEM), Keko (SAC), Milan Iloski (OC)