TAMPA, Fla. – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC forward Neco Brett has been voted the USL Player of the Week for Week 21 of the 2018 season, claiming the award for the second time this year. Brett scored three goals in two victories for Riverhounds SC as the side moved back into second place in the Eastern Conference standings as he moved into the frame for the USL Golden Boot with 11 goals this season.
Brett received 50 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Phoenix Rising FC’s Chris Cortez finished second with 32 percent.
GK – Ricardo Ferrino, Las Vegas Lights FC: Ferrino recorded a seven-save shutout to keep Lights FC in the game before the hosts scored a late winner to defeat Rio Grande Valley FC.
D – Darnell King, San Antonio FC: King’s first goal of the season was part of a good all-around display that saw him record two interceptions, three clearances and one tackle in SAFC’s victory against the LA Galaxy II.
D – Hugh Roberts, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Roberts won 21 of 25 duels and recorded five tackles, five interceptions and nine clearances, as the Hounds claimed a pair of shutout victories over the week.
D – Olivier Mbaizo, Bethlehem Steel FC: The 20-year-old Cameroonian recorded a pair of assists and made nine possession recoveries in Steel FC’s 3-0 victory against the Richmond Kickers.
D – Nana Attakora, Ottawa Fury FC: Attakora put home a strong finish in the second half and recorded five clearances and three recoveries, as Ottawa shut out the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a 2-0 victory on Friday night.
M – Jordan Burt, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Burt recorded the assist on Tobenna Uzo’s opening goal, one of three key passes for the game, and won five of seven duels in the Switchbacks’ crucial victory.
M – Villyan Bijev, Sacramento Republic FC: Bijev scored the game-winning goal and recorded four key passes, as Republic FC claimed a 1-0 victory against Fresno FC in the Highway 99 Derby.
M – Darwin Jones, Orange County SC: Jones scored a pair of goals, as Orange County further bolstered its playoff credentials with a 2-1 victory against the Swope Park Rangers on Saturday night.
F – Chris Cortez, Phoenix Rising FC: Cortez had two goals and an assist to lead Phoenix to an emphatic 4-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Sunday afternoon.
F – Jack McInerney, Indy Eleven: McInerney scored a pair of goals, as the Eleven earned a 2-2 draw on the road against defending USL Cup champion Louisville City FC.
F – Neco Brett, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Brett scored three goals over two games to lead the Hounds to a pair of victories and back into second place in the Eastern Conference.
Bench: GK: Dan Lynd (PGH), Austin Ledbetter (STL), Frank Lopez (LA), Aodhan Quinn (OC), Tucker Hume (NSH), Tobenna Uzo (COS), Ilija Ilic (LOU)
Tag(s): News Team of the Week Nashville SC San Antonio FC CO Spring Switchbacks LA Galaxy II Orange County SC Phoenix Rising FC Sacramento Republic FC Philadelphia Union II Louisville City FC Ottawa Fury FC Pittsburgh Riverhounds Saint Louis FC Jordan Burt Darnell King Darwin Jones Dan Lynd Ilija Ilić Aodhan Quinn Hugh Roberts Neco Brett Villyan Bijev Chris Cortez Austin Ledbetter Tucker Hume Las Vegas Lights FC Tobenna Uzo Indy Eleven Olivier Mbaizo Nana Attakora Jack McInerney Frank Lopez Ricardo Ferriño