Charleston's Kelly Named Player of the Week
Published on September 2, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 24 of the 2014 season on Tuesday as Charleston Battery forward Dane Kelly was named Player of the Week. Kelly had a hat trick to lead the Battery to victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night as Charleston clinched a place in the USL PRO Playoffs.
Kelly reached double-digit goals for the second consecutive season with an excellent performance against the Riverhounds, and gave the Battery the lead in the 38th minute as he ran onto a pass from fellow Team of the Week selection Zach Prince, drove to the top of the penalty area and lashed a shot into the top-right corner of the net. The Jamaican added a second two minutes into the second half as he gained possession 35 yards from goal on the left, zipped past his defender and lifted a finish into the right corner from 12 yards out. Seven minutes later he completed his hat trick, as a lifted pass from Prince put him in behind the Riverhounds' defense for a simple finish.
Orlando City SC and Wilmington Hammerheads FC also had a pair of players selected to the Team of the Week, with Kevin Molino earning selection as he recorded a hat trick and two assists in the Lions' 7-0 win against Dayton Dutch Lions FC. He was joined by Austin da Luz, who had three goals in two games for the Lions during the week.
Wilmington goalkeeper Brad Stuver earned selection as he conceded one goal in two games, including a seven-save performance as the Hammerheads took a 3-1 victory against Orlando last Thursday. Midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was also named as he recorded a goal and an assist in the Hammerheads' win against the Lions.
Sacramento's Rodrigo Lopez led the remaining selections as his two goals led Republic FC past Charleston. Richmond's Jason Yeisley was also named after a strong performance against Orange County on Saturday night. Rochester defender Babacar Diallo led a defensive trio after playing a big role in the Rhinos' first victory in Harrisburg in the USL PRO era. He was joined by Pittsburgh's Matt Dallman, who recorded his seventh assist of the season to lift the Riverhounds past Charlotte, and Orange County defender Ashani Fairclough, who was solid throughout as the Blues earned a 1-1 draw with Richmond.
The USL PRO regular season continues on Wednesday night as Wilmington Hammerheads FC try to clinch a place in the playoffs as they host Orlando City SC, while Thursday night brings a key game for OKC Energy FC as they visit Sacramento Republic FC needing a win to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Then, in the final weekend of the season, the final three places in the playoffs will be decided, with Wilmington, the Rochester Rhinos and Harrisburg City Islanders all looking to maintain their top-eight positions as the Energy, Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Charlotte Eagles aim to capitalize on any opening to grab a berth in the postseason.
Every game of the 2014 USL PRO season can be seen live on YouTube, with live updates also available via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+. Stay up to date with news, previews and match reports from throughout the league via USLPROSoccer.com.
USL PRO Team of the Week
Pos Player Team Highlights
GK Brad Stuver Wilmington Seven-save performance was key in win vs. Orlando
D Matt Dallman Pittsburgh Had seventh assist of season in victory against Charlotte
D Babacar Diallo Rochester First goal capped strong performance against Harrisburg
D Brenton Griffiths Orange County Solid defensively as Blues earned draw with Kickers
M Mark-Anthony Kaye Wilmington Excellent throughout, had goal & assist in win against Orlando
M Austin da Luz Orlando Three goals in two games as Lions took emphatic win Sunday
M Rodrigo Lopez Sacramento Pair of goals led Republic FC to victory against Charleston
M Zach Prince Charleston Goal and two assists as Battery defeated Riverhounds
M Kevin Molino Orlando Hat trick and two assists in Lions' drubbing of Dayton
F Dane Kelly Charleston Outstanding hat trick led Battery into playoffs
F Jason Yeisley Richmond Strong overall performance was capped with goal against Blues
Honorable Mention - Arizona: Matt Kassel; Charleston: Colin Falvey, Adam Mena; Charlotte: Fred Sekyere; Harrisburg: Yann Ekra; LA Galaxy II: Andre Auras, Charlie Rugg; Orange County: Andrew Hoxie, Seth Moses; Orlando City: Giuseppe Gentile, Adama Mbengue; Pittsburgh: Miroslav Cabrilo, Michael Lisch; Richmond: William Yomby, Michael Callahan; Rochester: Tony Walls, J.C. Banks; Sacramento: Jake Gleeson, Steven Evans; Wilmington: Ashani Fairclough, Sunny Jane.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 2, 2014
- Lions Clinch Regular Season Title with Draw against Wilmington on Wednesday - Orlando City SC
- Roughnecks Reveal New Crest, Uniforms - FC Tulsa
- Rhinos Enter Final Week in Thick of Playoff Hunt - Rochester Rhinos
- International Affair: Cerén and Jean-Jacques Called up for Duty - Orlando City SC
- Charleston's Kelly Named Player of the Week - USL
- Hammerheads Host Orlando City for Rematch - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Roughnecks to Reveal Logo, Uniforms Today - FC Tulsa
- LA Galaxy II Draw with Richmond Kickers - LA Galaxy II
- Richmond and La Galaxy II Draw 1-1 - Richmond Kickers
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