TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 24 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Miami FC forward Joaquin Rivas voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording the first hat trick of his professional career in his side’s victory away at Hartford Athletic.

The El Salvador international helped the visitors to their fourth win in the last five outings as he opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a slotted first-time finish from Florian Valot’s low cross from the right. Rivas added his second from the penalty spot 14 minutes into the second half before completing his hat trick with six minutes to go on a sharp low finish to the right corner from 14 yards. Rivas is the seventh player to record a hat trick in the Championship this season, and the first to do so for Miami FC since the club joined the USL Championship ahead of the 2020 season.

Rivas earned 64 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Tyreek Magee finished second on 29 percent as the Jamaican international struck twice in his side’s 3-2 victory on the road at Oakland Roots SC for his first goals in the USL Championship since joining the Switchbacks in May.

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 – Colin Shutler, Orange County SC: Shutler recorded shutouts against both Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and the Charleston Battery while recording four saves across the two games as Orange County defeated both Eastern Conference foes.

D – Devon Amoo-Mensah, Detroit City FC: The center back had a stellar defensive display in Le Rouge’s 1-0 win against Las Vegas Lights FC, winning 11 of 14 duels, 5 of 6 aerial duels and 7 of 9 tackles while making eight recoveries, three interceptions and five clearances.

D – Kyle Colonna, New Mexico United: Colonna scored his first goal in the USL Championship in New Mexico’s 2-2 draw with San Diego Loyal SC and completed 36 of 40 passes while winning 3 of 3 tackles, 5 of 6 duels and 3 of 4 aerial duels defensively.

D – Owen Lambe, Orange County SC: Lambe played the full 180 minutes in Orange County SC’s two wins during the week, scored a superb goal in the club’s 2-0 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday, and had four chances created while completing 78 of 94 passes overall.

M – Tyreek Magee, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Jamaican international scored a pair of goals to lead the Switchbacks to a 3-2 victory on the road against Oakland Roots SC, had four shots overall, and completed 37 of 42 passes.

M – Justin Portillo, New Mexico United: The veteran playmaker recorded both assists as United rallied twice to take a 2-2 draw against San Diego Loyal SC, had four chances created overall while completing 66 of 77 passes and winning 2 of 3 duels.

M – Enzo Martinez, Birmingham Legion FC: Martinez scored the opening goal in Birmingham’s 2-0 victory against Louisville City FC on Saturday evening and won 4 of 4 tackles, 6 of 9 duels and 3 of 3 aerial duels while recording two interceptions and seven recoveries in a strong midfield display.

M – Memo Diaz, Oakland Roots SC: Diaz put in a strong display in a losing cause against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, scoring in the first half while recording three shots and two chances created overall, winning 7 of 10 duels and making 10 recoveries defensively.

F – Joaquin Rivas, Miami FC: The El Salvador international recorded the first hat trick of his professional career to lead Miami to a 3-0 victory against Hartford Athletic and back into the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

F – JJ Williams, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The center forward bagged a goal and assist against former club FC Tulsa to lead the Rowdies to a 2-1 victory on Friday night while ending the night with four shots, four chances created and winning 2 of 2 tackles.

F – Juan Tejada, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Panamanian notched the assists on Tyreek Magee’s two goals and completed 2 of 2 dribbles while completing 9 of 12 passes overall.

Bench: Carlos Herrera (MB), Marc Navarro (ELP), Alex Lara (MB), Jake Areman (TBR), Adrien Perez (SD), Matt LaGrassa (SAC), Diba Nwegbo (BHM)