Cruz Earns Team of the Week Honors
Published on March 31, 2026 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The USL Championship unveiled the Team of the Week for Week 4 of the 2026 USL Championship season on Tuesday, with Tampa Bay Rowdies Wingback Sebastian Cruz earning a spot for his performance in the club's 3-1 win over Loudoun United FC.
Cruz opened the scoring for Tampa Bay in the 7th minute of the match, collecting a clearance out of Loudoun's box and sending the ball straight back in with a right-footed rocket into the top right corner. His go-ahead goal set the tone for the Rowdies third victory of the year, continuing their perfect start to the campaign.
Along with his goal, Cruz put in a strong shift overall in his third appearance for the club. He won six of his eight duels, won three tackles, made three recoveries, and recorded one clearance and one interception against Loudoun. Cruz is also one of four Rowdies players who has played every minute of the season so far.
This marks Cruz's first USL Championship Team of the Week selection. The 25-year-old California native started his career in the USL Championship as an academy player for Swope Park Rangers (now Sporting Kansas City II) in 2018 before moving on to play college soccer at Cal State Fullerton. He returned to Kansas City after college to represent the club in MLS Next Pro for two seasons. Last year, Cruz was a standout for UV Alta FC in the club's inaugural season in USL League One.
"I think the mentality that we've had since day one of the preseason has helped us overcome any challenges and start with three wins," said Cruz. "That mentality to fight on both sides of the ball, to be hungry offensively and defensively, has definitely helped us a lot. With that mentality, I think we can win anywhere. We take so much pride on both sides of the ball, and we know there's still room for us to improve."
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 31, 2026
- 10-Man Battery Exit U.S. Open Cup in 3-2 Loss After Extra Time in Charlotte - Charleston Battery
- Hounds Advance to Round of 32 in Open Cup - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Blake Scores in 2026 Debut - Indy Eleven
- Locomotive Renew Rivalry at New Mexico United in Open Cup Clash - El Paso Locomotive FC
- U.S. Open Cup Game Information and Match Notes - SAFC vs. FC Tulsa 4/1/26 - San Antonio FC
- New Mexico United Takes on Rival El Paso Locomotive in the US Open Cup Second Round - New Mexico United
- Lexington Hosts LouCity in Second-Round U.S. Open Cup Clash - Lexington SC
- Rhode Island FC Hosts Regional Rival Hartford Athletic in U.S. Open Cup Second Round Tomorrow - Rhode Island FC
- Khori Bennett Named to Team of the Week Bench for Week 4 - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- USOC Match Preview: Phoenix Rising at Orange County SC - Phoenix Rising FC
- FC Tulsa Continue U.S. Open Cup Quest in Alamo City - FC Tulsa
- Brace Lands Dikwa on Team of the Week - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Cruz Earns Team of the Week Honors - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Blaine Ferri, Aaron Molloy Receive Week 4 Team of the Week Honors - Lexington SC
- Michel Benitez Earns Week 4 Team of the Week Bench Selection - Sacramento Republic FC
- San Antonio FC Defender Tiago Suarez Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - San Antonio FC
- Fueling the Green & Blue: Hartford Athletic Announces Renewal of Partnership with Paleovalley - Hartford Athletic
- Sporting Club Jacksonville Announces VyStar Credit Union as Exclusive Credit Union Partner - Sporting Club Jacksonville
- Hartford Athletic Visit Rhode Island FC for U.S. Open Cup Second Round Matchup - Hartford Athletic
- Game Preview: Rhode Island FC vs. Hartford Athletic: April 1, 2026 - Rhode Island FC
- Hartford Athletic Signs Young Phenom Abdullah Taofeek - Hartford Athletic
- A Decade of Cup Clashes: Michigan's Most Compelling Open Cup Rivalry - Detroit City FC
- Sporting JAX Announces New Game against Sarasota Paradise Ahead of League Wide Schedule Adjustment - Sporting Club Jacksonville
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.
