Ben McKendry Named USL Player of the Week After 35-Yard Wonder Goal
May 3, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver native Ben McKendry was named the USL Player of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday.
The first team player on loan to Whitecaps FC 2 scored his first goal of the season in grand fashion last Wednesday, finding the net from 35 yards out to help the young 'Caps to a 2-1 comeback win at Swope Park Rangers.
He played 87 minutes in the road win, increasing his playing time in every match this year after missing the final seven games of last season due to injury. The 2015 Whitecaps FC 2 Player of the Year has now made three consecutive starts and four total appearances this year for WFC2, who are one of only two remaining undefeated teams in the 29-team league.
McKendry received 41 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. San Antonio FC midfielder Rafael Castillo finished second with 35 percent.
Also honoured by the league this week is 15-year-old Alphonso Davies, who was a bench selection to the USL Team of the Week after his aggressive play on the left side led to numerous opportunities for head coach Alan Koch's team.
McKendry, Davies and WFC2 are back in action at Thunderbird Stadium tomorrow night when they host Tulsa Roughnecks FC for Star Wars Night.
MLS season ticket holders can redeem their WFC2 tickets through Account Manager, while single match tickets are available here.
USL Team of the Week
GK - John McCarthy, Bethlehem Steel FC: McCarthy recorded a seven-save shutout as the Steel held the highest-scoring team in the USL, Louisville, to a 0-0 draw on Sunday.
D - Alex Lee, Richmond Kickers: Lee put in a solid performance as the Kickers earned a 1-0 victory against Toronto FC II on Saturday.
D - Conor Shanosky, Louisville City FC: Shanosky scored the equalizer as Louisville rallied while down to 10 men for a 2-2 draw against Pittsburgh in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3.
D - Marco Farfan, Portland Timbers 2: The academy standout continued his impressive start to the season as he limited Arizona's chances down his flank, and was decisive in challenges.
M - Pavle Popara, Orange County Blues FC: Popara capped a solid all-around performance for the Blues with the only goal in their 1-0 win on the road in Sacramento.
M - Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence: Martinez scored in his third consecutive game, and helped win the battle for Charlotte in midfield as it handed New York its first loss of the season.
M - Ben McKendry, Whitecaps FC 2: McKendry's outstanding goal from 35 yards led WFC2 to a comeback win against Swope Park as WFC2 maintained its undefeated record.
M - Rafael Castillo, San Antonio FC: The Colombian scored a spectacular game-winning goal, and was influential throughout, as San Antonio took its first home win in club history.
M - Kenardo Forbes, Rochester Rhinos: Forbes scored the opening goal, and was the focal point when the Rhinos looked to move forward in a 2-1 win against Harrisburg.
F - Jack McBean, LA Galaxy II: The Galaxy II's captain scored his sixth goal of the season to help Los Dos earn a 2-0 win on the road against Rio Grande Valley FC.
F - Romeo Parkes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds: Parkes scored in both of the Riverhounds' outings as they earned draws on the road against Louisville and Charleston.
Bench: Clement Diop (LA), Bilal Duckett (CLT), Alphonso Davies (VAN), Justin Portillo (CHS), Sam Garza (AZ), Jordan Rideout (OKC), Michael Cox (ORL)
This year, every Tier 1 'Caps Club MLS membership includes three open tickets to WFC2 matches. Members can select their matches and theme days online through Account Manager. Information on theme days is available at whitecapsfc.com/wfc2/themedays.
Youth season passes are also available for $30 all in. For more information contact wfc2@whitecapsfc.com or call 604-484-7862.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 3, 2016
- First-Place LouCity Visits TFCII - Louisville City FC
- Ben McKendry Named USL Player of the Week After 35-Yard Wonder Goal - Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
- Kick It with Saint Louis FC - Saint Louis FC
- FNB Field Home Opener Review - Penn FC
- Whitecaps FC 2 Host Tulsa Roughnecks FC on a 'Day That Will Long be Remembered' - Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
- Toronto FC Loan Eight Players to Toronto FC II - Toronto FC II
- Roughnecks Look to End Streak in Vancouver Wednesday - FC Tulsa
- Parkes Named to USL's Team of the Week - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Shanosky Earns Weekly Honor - Louisville City FC
- John McCarthy Named to USL Team of the Week - Philadelphia Union II
- T2's Marco Farfan Added to the USL Team of the Week - Portland Timbers 2
- Vancouver's McKendry Named USL Player of the Week - USL
- San Antonio FC Midfielder Rafa Castillo Named to USL Team of the Week - San Antonio FC
- Taylor out for Remainder of Season - Richmond Kickers
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