TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 34 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with Rhode Island FC forward JJ Williams voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording the first hat trick in club history in his side’s victory against Miami FC at Beirne Stadium on Saturday night.

One of Rhode Island’s notable acquisitions ahead of its inaugural season, Williams bagged all three goals in the first half, notching RIFC’s second goal of the contest in the 16th minute as he broke onto a through-ball from Noah Fuson after a midfield turnover and calmly slotted home.

Williams added his second five minutes before halftime from the penalty spot before capping a five-goal first half for the hosts in stoppage time as he again slipped behind the defense off a flick by Zach Herivaux to record his second hat trick in the USL Championship in his career.

“It was amazing,” said Williams postgame. “It’s something that I told myself I wanted to do right when I signed here. I was hoping it was going to come a lot earlier in the year, but whenever you have to miss the first 10 [games], this is one of those that keeps you coming back for more.”

Williams earned 63 percent of the ballot to claim the award, with Memphis 901 FC’s Bruno Lapa finishing second with 25 percent after recording a pair of assists in his side’s 3-2 victory against New Mexico United, a result which earned the side the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference for the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix.

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 34
GK – Eric Dick, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Championship Golden Glove winner recorded a six-save shutout in the Hounds’ 2-0 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC as the side sealed its place in the postseason on the final day of the regular season.

D – Ryan Doghman, Orange County SC: The left back notched the first two-goal game of his career in OCSC’s 3-2 victory against Hartford Athletic and had four shots and one chance created overall while making four clearances and three recoveries defensively.

D – Kyle Adams, Louisville City FC: The New Zealand international recorded a pair of assists in LouCity’s 4-1 victory against Phoenix Rising FC and completed 29 of 32 passes overall while recording four clearances and four recoveries defensively.

D – Harvey St. Clair, FC Tulsa: St. Clair recorded one assist and three chances created in Tulsa’s 2-1 win against Monterey Bay F.C. and won 10 of 13 ground duels while recording five clearances and eight recoveries defensively.

M – Bruno Lapa, Memphis 901 FC: Lapa recorded a pair of assists to lead Memphis to a 3-2 victory on the road at New Mexico United and completed 13 of 14 passes overall while winning 3 of 4 duels and 1 of 1 tackle defensively as 901 FC secured a home playoff game.

M – Zach Herivaux, Rhode Island FC: The Haitian international recorded a pair of assists in Rhode Island’s victory against Miami FC and completed 2 of 3 dribbles while recording four interceptions and seven recoveries defensively.

M – Danny Crisostomo, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Crisostomo scored the opening goal in the Rowdies’ 3-0 victory against Indy Eleven on Saturday night and completed 38 of 40 passes overall while completing 2 of 2 dribbles and recording two interceptions and three recoveries.

M – Robbie Mertz, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Mertz recorded the assist on the Hounds’ opening goal in its 2-0 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC, created five chances and completed 23 of 25 passes overall while recording one interception and two recoveries defensively.

F – JJ Williams, Rhode Island FC: Williams recorded the first hat trick in Rhode Island’s history and also notched an assist in the club’s victory against Miami FC while recording four shots overall and completing 12 of 17 passes.

F – Wilson Harris, Louisville City FC: Harris scored a pair of first-half goals and had seven shots overall while winning 2 of 2 tackles and making seven recoveries in LouCity’s 4-1 victory against Phoenix Rising FC.

F – Tabort Etaka Preston, Birmingham Legion FC: The Cameroonian winger scored twice in Legion’s victory against Oakland Roots SC and completed 16 of 20 passes overall while winning 3 of 4 tackles and making three recoveries defensively.

Coach – James Chambers, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Chambers’ side earned a second consecutive 1-0 road victory with a late winner against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night to earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference entering the postseason.

Bench – Christian Herrera (COS), Jojea Kwizera (RI), Paco Craig (NC), Andrew Booth (TUL), Kobe Hernandez-Foster (BHM), Noah Fuson (RI), Ben Morris (DET)