Richmond's Spitz Named Player of the Week

August 5, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release

TAMPA, Fla. - USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 20 of the 2014 season on Tuesday as Richmond Kickers midfielder Shay Spitz was named Player of the Week. Spitz had a goal and two assists to help lead the Kickers past Wilmington Hammerheads FC on Friday night at Legion Stadium.

Spitz came close to opening the scoring himself against the Hammerheads in the 19th minute when his fierce volley from the left side went off the underside of the crossbar and right post before the rebound was tapped in by Matt Delicâte. He was then on hand to flick home a header just before the halftime break from Sascha Görres' free kick to make it 2-0 before he played provider at the hour mark with a perfect low cross that was finished by Samuel Asante.

Spitz now leads the Kickers with five assists this season, two behind fellow Team of the Week midfield selection Kevin Molino of Orlando City SC, who scored twice as the Lions clinched a playoff berth with a 4-1 win against the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday. Harrisburg's Yann Ekra also earned selection after two standout performances as the City Islanders took a pair of victories to move up to seventh in the league standings, while OKC Energy FC's David Leighty was also named as his first professional goal gave his side a dramatic late victory against Orange County.

Leighty's Energy FC teammate Max Gunderson was part of a four-man defensive contingent as he helped limit the Blues to six shots in a 1-0 win, and he was joined by the Charleston Battery's Colin Falvey, who had the only goal in a 1-0 win against the Montreal Impact Reserves. Orlando's Tyler Turner was also selected as he scored his first professional goal against Charlotte, while Rochester's Babacar Diallo was solid defensively and a threat from set pieces in the Rhinos' 0-0 draw with Charleston.

Harrisburg's Nick Noble earned the goalkeeper position as he conceded one goal in two games and posted a seven-save shutout in the City Islanders' 1-0 win on the road against Dayton on Saturday. In attack, Sacramento's Justin Braun was selected after his 78th-minute goal lifted Republic FC to a 2-1 victory against Arizona United SC, while Pittsburgh's Joseph Ngwenya sparked the Riverhounds' comeback in a 3-1 victory against the LA Galaxy II to earn the final spot on the team.

The USL PRO season continues on Wednesday night as the Harrisburg City Islanders welcome the New York Red Bulls Reserves to Skyline Sports Complex for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The City Islanders are also part of this weekend's key action as they host Orlando City on Saturday night, while the Richmond Kickers can clinch a berth in the USL PRO Playoffs should they take victory against Charlotte.

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 Nick Noble Harrisburg Conceded once in two games, including seven-save shutout vs. Dayton

D Max Gunderson Oklahoma City Solid defensively as Energy FC posted shutout in Orange County

D Tyler Turner Orlando First professional goal helped Lions past Charlotte

D Colin Falvey Charleston Scored only goal as Battery defeated Montreal Reserves

D Babacar Diallo Rochester Solid defensively, and threatened from set piece in draw with Battery

M Kevin Molino Orlando Pair of goals led Lions past Eagles to clinch postseason berth

M Yann Ekra Harrisburg Excellent two-way performances as City Islanders claimed two wins

M David Leighty Oklahoma City Late winner against Blues was first professional goal

M Shay Spitz Richmond Goal and two assists led Kickers past Hammerheads

F Justin Braun Sacramento Had game-winner as Republic FC defeated Arizona

F Joseph Ngwenya Pittsburgh First-half goal sparked comeback victory against LA Galaxy II

Honorable Mention - Arizona: Jon Okafor, Jonathan Top; Charleston: Odisnel Cooper, Dane Kelly; Charlotte: Wells Thompson; Dayton: Sebastian Thuriere, Jesjua Cruyff; Harrisburg: Jimmy McLaughlin, Garret Pettis; LA Galaxy II: Jose Villarreal; Oklahoma City: Abraham Villon, Gareth Evans; Orange County: Seth Moses; Orlando: Dennis Chin, Darwin Ceren; Pittsburgh: Danny Earls, Kevin Kerr; Richmond: William Yomby, Ryan Taylor; Rochester: John McCarthy, Onua Thomas Obasi; Sacramento: Rodrigo Lopez, Michael Daly; Wilmington: Jeremy Hall, Samuel Ochoa.

USL PRO

USL PRO is the strongest U.S. men's professional soccer league on and off the field below and in support of Major League Soccer (MLS). Focused on league stability and franchise performance longevity, USL PRO features 14 teams, including 2014 expansion teams in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Sacramento. Teams have already been announced for 2015 in Austin, Colorado Springs, Louisville, St. Louis and Tulsa, with more additions expected soon. Through aggressive and deliberate growth in adding teams fully capable of meeting USL and US Soccer standards, USL PRO is building a robust, national professional soccer league in a format that promotes the benefits of regional league play. In 2013 USL PRO began a groundbreaking, multi-year partnership with MLS that features individual team affiliations, inter-league play, and the opportunity for MLS clubs to field a second team in USL PRO. In addition to league play, USL PRO teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various domestic and international exhibitions. USL PRO is the longest-standing pro league affiliate member of US Soccer.

USL PRO Public Relations - Jay Preble / Stacy Shanks / Nicholas Murray - Tampa, FL - 813.963.3909 - Twitter: @USLPRO

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 5, 2014

• OCSC Season Ticket Member Wins 2014 MLS All-Star VIP Sweepstakes - Orlando City SC
• Leichty, Gunderson Named to USL PRO Team of the Week - OKC Energy FC
• Richmond's Spitz Named Player of the Week - USL
• Kickers Host Charlotte Saturday - Richmond Kickers

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