USL United Soccer League Championship

Charlotte's Thompson Named Player of the Week

August 26, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 23 of the 2014 season on Tuesday as Charlotte Eagles forward Wells Thompson was named Player of the Week. Thompson scored both goals in the Eagles' 2-0 victory against Orlando City SC on Thursday night, which provided a major boost to the 2013 USL PRO Championship Finalist's playoff prospects.

Thompson scored twice in the final 15 minutes against the Lions to earn the Eagles a crucial three points. The first came in the 77th minute as he picked up a pass from Zak Boggs and fired home into the far corner from the right side of the penalty area. Thompson then put the game away for Charlotte in stoppage time as he stole possession in midfield, drove forward into the right side of the penalty area and roofed a near-post shot. The victory allowed the Eagles to sit in a tie for the eighth and final playoff place at the end of the week's action.

Thompson was joined in the Team of the Week attack by Wilmington's Sunny Jane, who had three goals and an assist as the Hammerheads took four points from two games against Orange County Blues FC and the LA Galaxy II on their west coast trip. Harrisburg's Clesio Bauque was also selected after his two goals earned a 10-man City Islanders squad a point on the road against Rochester.

Orlando had a pair of players selected as the Lions moved six points clear at the top of the USL PRO standings after a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Richmond Kickers. Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo played a key role with a six-save performance, while new addition Estrela had a standout debut that included his first goal for the club.

Pittsburgh also had a pair of players named as defender Matt Dallman and midfielder Rob Vincent each earned selection after a 3-1 win against the FC Dallas Reserves. Dallman had a pair of assists, while Vincent had a strong game in the center of midfield that was highlighted by a fierce shot from 20 yards that found the top-left corner to open the scoring.

Arizona's Scott Morrison joined Dallman in the Team of the Week defense after his goal lifted United to a 1-0 win against OKC Energy FC on Friday night, while Sacramento's Emrah Klimenta was named as he put in a strong defensive performance that was capped by a goal in Republic FC's 2-0 win against Wilmington last Wednesday. Charleston's Shawn Ferguson rounded out the defensive quartet after an excellent performance that limited OKC to five shots in a 2-0 win, while LA Galaxy II midfielder Rafael Garcia completed the side as his stoppage-time free kick earned Los Dos a 3-3 draw with Wilmington.

The USL PRO season continues on Wednesday night as the LA Galaxy II look to clinch a home quarterfinal in the USL PRO Playoffs with victory against the Real Salt Lake Reserves, and Sacramento Republic FC aims to remain undefeated at Bonney Field as the Charleston Battery visit for the first meeting between the two teams.

Key games in the race for the playoffs highlight the weekend's schedule, with the Charlotte Eagles set to host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Friday night, and the Rochester Rhinos visit the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday.

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 Miguel Gallardo Orlando Made six saves as Lions earned big victory against Richmond

D Scott Morrison Arizona Standout finish lifted United to victory against Oklahoma City

D Emrah Klimenta Sacramento Goal capped excellent defensive performance vs. Wilmington

D Shawn Ferguson Charleston Strong defensive display as Battery took shutout in OKC

D Matt Dallman Pittsburgh Pair of assists as Riverhounds defeated FC Dallas Reserves

M Rob Vincent Pittsburgh Strong in midfield, excellent goal led Riverhounds to victory

M Rafael Garcia LA Galaxy II Brilliant free kick earned Los Dos 3-3 draw with Wilmington

M Estrela Orlando Had goal on debut for Lions in 3-2 victory against Kickers

F Wells Thompson Charlotte Pair of goals led Charlotte to key victory against Orlando

F Clesio Bauque Harrisburg Scored twice as 10-man City Islanders earned draw in Rochester

F Sunny Jane Wilmington Three goals, assist as Hammerheads earned four point out west

Honorable Mention - Arizona: Joey Dillon, Sam Garza; Charleston: Amadou Sanyang, Colin Falvey; Charlotte: Zak Boggs, Ben Newnam; Dayton: Taylor Bowlin, Christian Camacho; Harrisburg: David Flynn, Yann Ekra; LA Galaxy II: Chandler Hoffman, Jose Villarreal; Oklahoma City: Samir Badr; Orange County: Christopher Santana; Orlando City: Kevin Molino, Rafael Ramos; Pittsburgh: Kevin Kerr, Jason Johnson; Richmond: George Davis IV, Samuel Asante; Rochester: Tony Walls, J.C. Banks; Sacramento: Tommy Stewart, Dominik Jakubek; Wilmington: Mark-Anthony Kaye, Cody Arnoux.

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