Los Angeles' Burke Named USL PRO Player of the Week
July 17, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - USL PRO announced its Team of the Week for week 15 of the 2012 season today, honoring Los Angeles Blues midfielder Bryan Burke as Player of the Week after he recorded two goals and an assist as the Blues took a pair of wins to maintain their pursuit of the playoffs.
Last season's PDL Championship Game MVP with the Kitsap Pumas, Burke had a pair of goals in a weather-delayed game that stretched through Thursday and Friday against Antigua Barracuda FC at IMG Academy. Burke opened the scoring against the Barracudas in the 11th minute before the players were removed from the field two minutes later, and then the following day scored five minutes from the end to cap a 3-0 win.
Burke then added an assist on Saturday as the Blues took a 2-0 victory in the second game of the weekend doubleheader, putting Matt Fondy in to cap the victory in the 83rd minute. Burke has been versatile this season for the Blues, starting the season at right back before moving into an attacking midfield role this past weekend. The rookie has played all but one game this season for the Blues, ranking third in minutes played.
Burke was joined by teammate Erlys Garcia on the Team of the Week after the Cuban center back played a central role in the pair of shutouts. The rest of the defensive contingent was made up of players who made a difference in attack as well as defense, with Charlotte's Devon Grousis scoring the game-winning goal in his side's 2-0 win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night. Richmond's William Yomby and Orlando's Rob Valentino also had goals as their sides recorded victories during the weekend.
Charleston's Nicki Paterson and Dane Kelly were both honored after their second-half goals helped the Battery take a 3-1 victory against the Wilmington Hammerheads to move back into second place in the standings. Kelly's fifth goal of the season proved to be the game-winner against the Hammerheads, while Paterson notched his league-high ninth goal of the season to seal the win.
Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams earned his selection as his eight saves earned the Dutch Lions a 0-0 draw against the Harrisburg City Islanders, for whom Jason Pelletier earned selection after a strong two-way performance. Orlando's Kevin Molino also earned selection after providing impetus to the Lions' attack in their victory against Rochester.
USL PRO Team of the Week
Pos Player Team Highlights
GK Matt Williams Dayton Eight-save shutout earned Dutch Lions point in Harrisburg
D Devon Grousis Charlotte Had the game-winning goal as Charlotte's run of form continued
D William Yomby Richmond Opened the scoring in Kickers' victory against Riverhounds
D Rob Valentino Orlando Had a goal, and held Rhinos attack in check in victory
D Erlys Garcia Los Angeles Two solid performances in pair of shutout victories for Blues
M NIcki Paterson Charleston Had his league-leading ninth goal in win against Wilmington
M Jason Pelletier Harrisburg Strong two-way performance in City Islanders' draw
M Bryan Burke Los Angeles Two goals and assist helped Blues to pair of victories
M Kevin Molino Orlando Sparked Lions offensively as they bolstered league lead
F Dane Kelly Charleston Game-winning goal as Battery took victory against Hammerheads
F Mauricio Salles Charlotte Had assist on Grousis' goal, provided threat up front for Eagles
Honorable Mention - Antigua - Quinton Griffith; Charleston: Navion Boyd, Andrew Dykstra; Charlotte: Darren Toby, Chris Salvaggione; Dayton: Joel DeLass; Harrisburg: Adrian LeRoy; Los Angeles: Brian Farber, Carl Woszczynski; Orlando: Jerome Mecheck, Rodrigo Lopez; Pittsburgh: Matt Kassel; Richmond: Ronnie Pascale, Chris Agorsor; Rochester: Troy Roberts; Wilmington: Gareth Evans.
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