TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 27 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC midfielder Yosuke Hanya voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after contributing to three of his side’s goals in a 4-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night at Weidner Field.

Hanya helped the Switchbacks make a flying start on home turf as they recorded four shots inside the opening six minutes and eventually made that pressure tell in the 28th minute as his finish from the right side of the penalty area deflected off Tampa Bay defender Blake Bodily for what was ruled an own goal.

The 25-year-old then provided the service for Justin Dhillon to record his first goal in Switchbacks colors two minutes into the second half before bagging his fourth goal of the season to stake his side to a four-goal lead in the 53rd minute. Currently on loan from the Colorado Rapids, Hanya’s performance earned the Switchbacks a third consecutive victory as they moved into third place in the Western Conference, level on points with second-place Sacramento Republic FC.

“I’m extremely happy, and grateful for this performance as a team,” said Hanya. “Personally, it has been very long since I scored my last goal, so this is definitely an energy boost moment for me, and I’m really excited to score more goals as we head to the last couple games.”

Hanya earned 33 percent of the ballot to claim the award. His Switchbacks teammate Justin Dhillon and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC midfielder Bradley Sample finished tied for second on 22 percent after Dhillon notched a goal and assist in his side’s victory while Sample notched his first professional goal as part of a stellar all-around display in the Hounds’ 2-0 victory against Rhode Island 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.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 27
GK – Ramón Pasquel, El Paso Locomotive FC: Making his first appearance since June, the Mexican shot-stopper posted a four-save shutout as Locomotive played to a scoreless draw against Detroit City FC for their third consecutive clean sheet.

D – Dani Rovira, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Colombian notched one assist and completed 2 of 4 crosses while winning 4 of 5 ground duels and making two interceptions and four recoveries in his side’s shutout against Rhode Island FC.

D – Paco Craig, North Carolina FC: The veteran center back notched his second goal of the season in NCFC’s victory against Oakland Roots and won 8 of 13 duels while making two interceptions, two clearances and completing 27 of 33 passes.

D – Omar Grey, San Antonio FC: Gray had a sterling debut for SAFC after his midweek arrival as he won 7 of 7 duels and 2 of 3 tackles while recording 10 clearances and seven recoveries in his side’s 1-0 victory on the road against Monterey Bay F.C.

M – Rafael Mentzingen, North Carolina FC: The Brazilian scored once and had two shots and two chances created in NCFC’s 5-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC while completing 32 of 37 passes and 2 of 2 dribbles and winning 5 of 7 ground duels at WakeMed Soccer Park.

M – Yosuke Hanya, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Hanya recorded one goal and one assist while also playing a key role in the side’s opening goal to lead the Switchbacks to a 4-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Weidner Field. He also completed 16 of 18 passes and recorded four shots and two chances created.

M – Bradley Sample, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The first-year pro scored his first goal in the Championship to help lead the Hounds to a 2-0 victory against Rhode Island FC at Highmark Stadium while also completing 24 of 30 passes, winning 4 of 5 duels and recording eight recoveries.

M – Ezra Armstrong, North Carolina FC: The 25-year-old scored once and had two chances created while completing 27 of 28 passes overall in his side’s victory against Oakland Roots while also recording three interceptions and five recoveries defensively.

F – Evan Conway, North Carolina FC: Conway scored once and completed 13 of 16 passes while recording seven shots overall in NCFC’s victory against Oakland Roots and won 3 of 3 tackles and 4 of 8 duels defensively.

F – Justin Dhillon, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The veteran forward bagged his first goal and assist since joining the Switchbacks in August to help lead a 4-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies and recorded three shots overall while completing 9 of 11 passes.

F – Rodrigo da Costa, North Carolina FC: The Brazilian notched one goal and one assist and had four shots overall as he completed 2 of 2 dribbles and won 3 of 5 ground duels in North Carolina’s 5-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC.

Coach – Ben Pirmann, Charleston Battery: Pirmann’s side rallied for its fifth comeback victory this season in a 2-1 result against Sacramento Republic FC that saw the Battery’s adjustments produce a sterling second-half display that handed Sacramento its first loss this season after leading at halftime.

Bench – Khadim Ndiaye (MIA), Adrian Diz Pe (IND), Nate Dossantos (CHS), Aiden McFadden (LOU), Emilio Ycaza (CHS), Luis Solignac (SA), Nick Markanich (CHS)