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USL Fresno FC

Jaime Chavez Named USL Championship Player of the Week

September 24, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Fresno FC News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Forward Jaime Chavez became the first Fresno FC player to be named the USL Championship Player of the Week award for his standout performances in Week 29, receiving 55 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL Championship market. Teammate CJ Cochran also was selected to the Team of the Week's for his stellar play against RGV FC and Phoenix Rising FC in what was a monumental week for the club.

This is the first time in franchise history that two Foxes players have been named to the USL Championship's Best XI in the same week and the first-ever selection for Chavez

Chavez, who leads the club with a franchise-best 12 goals in the regular season, assisted Qudus Lawal's goal at the sixth minute against the Toros and later went on to score two more of his own in the biggest win in club history. A few days later, Chavez scored the go-ahead penalty against Rising FC that held on to be the game-winner as Fresno FC clinched its first-ever spot in the USL Championship Playoffs. Chavez also created five chances over two games.

Cochran earned his third TOTW selection this season, also earning the nod in Weeks 3 and 19. The goalkeeper stopped three penalties across two games - the first against RGVFC which sealed his seventh clean sheet of the season. Against Phoenix, Cochran came up big again - blocking two penalties from Solomon Asante and making four saves against the Championship's highest-scoring offense to help Fresno to a 2-1 victory.

A Fresno FC player has been chosen as part of the league's Best XI a club-record 15 times this season. The other Foxes who have been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week in 2019 are: left back Alex Cooper (Week 1), midfielder Arun Basuljevic (Week 2), forward Christian Chaney (Week 9), midfielder Jackson (Week 10), forward Qudus Lawal (Week 12), midfielder Jemal Johnson (Weeks 6, 15 and 16), Elijah Martin (Week 18), and defender Ramon Martin Del Campo (Week 23 and 25).

Fresno FC (16-5-8) hits the road for its next two matches, playing at San Antonio FC on Saturday, Sept. 28th, and then at El Paso Locomotive FC on Wednesday, Oct. 2, where Los Zorros look to pick up key road points and solidify home-field advantage in the Western Conference playoffs. Fresno FC returns to Chukchansi Park for its final two regular-season home games the next two weekends, playing host to Tacoma Defiance on Oct. 5th, and LA Galaxy II on Oct. 12th. Tickets for both matches are on sale now at FresnoFC.com and the Chukchansi Park box office.

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USL Championship Team of the Week

GK - CJ Cochran, Fresno FC: Cochran made seven saves across two contests - including a penalty kick save in each - as the Foxes took victories against Rio Grande Valley FC and Phoenix Rising FC.

D - Bryam Rebellon, El Paso Locomotive FC: Rebellon scored the opening goal, completed 53 of 62 passes and made one interception and six recoveries in Locomotive FC's victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

D - Michael Orozco, Orange County SC: Orozco recorded the assist on Orange County's late game-winner, had three chances created overall and completed 42 of 48 passes against Tulsa Roughnecks FC.

D - Justin Davis, Nashville SC: Davis contributed to back-to-back shutouts for NSC over the week, making nine recoveries, winning 12 of 20 duels and recording seven chances created against Birmingham Legion FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

M - Napo Matsoso, Louisville City FC: Matsoso scored a pair of goals, went a perfect 24 of 24 passing and made three interceptions and five recoveries in LouCity's 5-3 victory against the New York Red Bulls II.

M - Felipe Hernandez, Swope Park Rangers: Hernandez had one assist, eight chances created and completed 37 of 43 passes while winning 7 of 8 duels in the Rangers' 3-0 win against the Charlotte Independence.

M - Dairon Asprilla, Portland Timbers 2: Asprilla scored two goals, added one assist and completed 31 of 36 passes to lead T2 to a 6-3 victory against Tacoma Defiance on Friday night.

M - Malik Johnson, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Johnson recorded three assists as the Rowdies romped to victory against Bethlehem Steel FC while completing 22 of 25 passes and 13 of 15 dribbles and winning 16 of 22 duels.

F - Kleber, Austin Bold FC: The Brazilian recorded a hat trick and completed 41 of 51 passes overall to lead Bold FC to a 4-1 victory in its home finale against Las Vegas Lights FC.

F - Hadji Barry, Ottawa Fury FC: Barry scored a hat trick, twice converting from the penalty spot, as Fury FC wrapped up a two-win week with a 4-1 win against Hartford Athletic at TD Place on Sunday.

F - Jaime Chavez, Fresno FC: Chavez recorded three goals - including the game-winner against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday - and one assist and had five chances created over two contests as the Foxes clinched a playoff place.

Bench: Kyle Morton (PIT), Prosper Kasim (BHM), Luiz Fernando (ATL), Maikel Chang (SLC) Cam Lindley (MEM), Eric Bird (RGV), Corey Hertzog (RNO)

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