TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced the USL First Division and USL Second Division Teams of the Week for the third week of the season, honoring Puerto Rico's Josh Saunders and Harrisburg's David Schofield as the Players of the Week, respectively.
After giving up three goals to his former Portland Timbers side two weeks ago, Puerto Rico Islanders goalkeeper Josh Saunders has been perfect in goal with a pair of shutouts. The Islanders new netminder led the club to a scoreless draw in Carolina Saturday in a game in which they were outshot 21-7.
Saunders was called upon several times to make outstanding saves to preserve the shutout as his team was unable to find much offense. The RailHawks pressed matters down the stretch with a left-footed blast by Kupono Low that was saved and a header by Frankie Sanfilippo in the 80th minute that was deflected. He finished the match with six saves.
Trailing the Charlotte Eagles 2-1, the Harrisburg City Islanders came out for the second half minus their head coach, who was sent off in the final moments before the break. Midfielder David Schofield, however, stepped up with a pair of critical back-to-back assists two minutes apart to put the home side in the driver's seat of the match, which would finish 4-3 in favor of Harrisburg over the 2005 champion and 2006 league runners-up.
Scoring didn't open up again until the 68th minute when the Islanders mounted an aerial assault which saw Brian Ombiji knock home a brilliantly bent ball from Schofield.
The attack continued two minutes later when the hosts took a 3-2 lead off of another magical delivery from the foot of Schofield. This time his target was a lurking Steve Fisher, who nodded the service back across the Charlotte goal and off the post into the back of the net.
USL First Division Team of the Week
Pos Name Team Highlights
* G Josh Saunders Puerto Rico Six saves in 0-0 draw at Carolina
D Steve Klein Vancouver Game-winner in 2-1 win at Minnesota
D Zach Scott Seattle Led team to 1-0 win over Portland
D Gabe Gervais Montreal Led team to 1-0 win at Miami
D Scott Palguta Rochester Equalizer in 1-1 draw against Vancouver
M Rodrigo Rios Atlanta Led team to 2-0 win over Carolina
M Gordon Chin Charleston Goal in 1-1 draw against Rochester
M Justin Moore Atlanta Goal in 2-0 win over Carolina
M Freddy Juarez Minnesota Goal in 2-1 loss to Vancouver
F Joey Gjertsen Vancouver Goal in 1-1 draw at Rochester
F Nathan Knox Seattle Goal in 1-0 win over Portland
USL Second Division Team of the Week
Pos Name Team Highlights
G Caleb Patterson Cleveland Nine saves in 4-0 win at CP Baltimore
D Jay Willis Western Mass Equalizer in 1-1 draw against New Hampshire
D James Greenslit New Hampshire Led team in 1-1 draw at Western Mass
D Nathan Northup Wilmington Goal in 2-1 loss to Richmond
D Tim Velten Harrisburg Game-winner in 4-3 win over Charlotte
M Bret Jones Cincinnati Goal in 1-0 win at CP Baltimore
* M David Schofield Harrisburg Two assists in 4-3 win over Charlotte
M Adam Ruud Charlotte Two goals, assist in 4-3 loss at Harrisburg
F Brian Ombiji Harrisburg Goal, assist in 4-3 win over Charlotte
F Ricky Schramm Richmond Goal, assist in 2-1 win at Wilmington
F Ian Leibbrandt Cleveland Goal, assist in 4-0 win at CP Baltimore
* Players of the Week
• Discuss this story on the USL First Division message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
