Rochester's McFayden Named USL PRO Player of the Week
Published on July 10, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - USL PRO announced its Team of the Week for week 13 of the 2012 season today, honoring Rochester Rhinos forward Kendell McFayden as Player of the Week after he recorded a pair of goals in his side's 4-1 victory against Antigua Barracuda FC last Wednesday night.
A recent addition to the Rhinos' roster, McFayden made the most of his first start for his new club, scoring in just the third minute as a fine through-ball by Tam McManus allowed McFayden to knife into the right side of the penalty area and slide his finish into the left corner. McFayden added a second goal 15 minutes later in similar fashion, with JC Banks picking up possession in midfield before lifting a ball over the top that McFayden was able to run onto and finish, again low into the left corner.
The New York-native returned to the pro ranks with the Rhinos after playing in the PDL a season ago for the Kitsap Pumas, helping them the 2011 title. Also an alumnus of the Austin Aztex, McFayden helped spark a Rhinos' offense that, prior to Wednesday night, had scored just 17 goals in 15 games. He was joined on the Team of the Week by teammate Danny Earls, who had the game-winning goal in the Rhinos' second win of the week, a 2-0 victory against the Dayton Dutch Lions that moved the side back into second place in the USL PRO standings.
Two other sides had a pair of players selected to the Team of the Week, with the Charlotte Eagles' Juan Guzman and Mark Bloom being recognized after their side took a pair of victories against the Charleston Battery to move into the sixth and final playoff spot. Guzman had a pair of solid games that was capped by the second goal in the Eagles' 2-0 win at Blackbaud Stadium on Friday night. Defensively, Bloom played all 180 minutes as the Eagles recorded a pair of shutouts against a Charleston attack that ranks second in goals scored this season.
Orlando City's Miguel Gallado and Dennis Chin were also honored, with the reigning USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year recording a pair of shutouts in the Lions' two victories in Los Angeles. Chin also had a good weekend, moving into a tie for the league-lead with eight goals as he scored twice in Sunday's 4-0 win at Titan Stadium.
Harrisburg's Sainey Touray claimed the third forward spot on the Team of the Week after his pair of goals helped the City Islanders pick up four valuable points in two games. Other selected included Wilmington's Tom Parratt, who put in a strong defensive performance in the Hammerheads' 1-0 win against the Richmond Kickers, and Dayton's Nixon Dias, who marshaled the Dutch Lions' defense in their 1-0 win against Pittsburgh.
USL PRO Team of the Week
Pos Player Team Highlights
GK Miguel Gallardo Orlando Had a pair of shutouts as Lions took six points in Los Angeles
D Danny Earls Rochester Scored game-winning goal in victory against Dayton
D Tom Parratt Wilmington Solid defensive performance was key in 1-0 win against Kickers
D Mark Bloom Charlotte Helped Eagles earn back-to-back shutouts of Battery
D Nixon Dias Dayton Composed in the back as Dutch Lions defeated Riverhounds
M Matt Aldred Antigua Had a good two-way performance as Antigua tied Harrisburg
M Ryan Heins Richmond Scored only goal as Kickers defeated Los Angeles
M Juan Guzman Charlotte Had a goal, and helped slow Battery's charge, in two wins
F Dennis Chin Orlando Pair of goals led Lions to 4-0 win against Blues on Sunday
F Kendell McFayden Rochester Two early goals sparked Rhinos in victory against Antigua
F Sainey Touray Harrisburg Two goals in two games helped keep City Islanders in playoff spot
Honorable Mention - Antigua - Peter Byers, Molvin James; Charlotte: Clint Irwin, Darryl Roberts; Dayton: Akeem Priestley, Eli Garner; Harrisburg: Garret Pettis, Lucky Mkosana; Orlando: Keiron Bernard, Matt Luzunaris; Pittsburgh: Darren Amoo, Anthony Calvano; Richmond: Matt Delicate, Jason Yeisley; Rochester: J.C. Banks, Andrew Hoxie; Wilmington: Corey Hertzog, Mark Briggs.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 10, 2012
- Rochester's McFayden Named USL PRO Player of the Week - USL
- Eagles Announce Win Or Go Home, 20 Years & Karla Davis - Charlotte Eagles
- Hammerheads Add North Carolina Affiliate, Charles Rodriguez - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Hammerheads Face Rhinos on Thursday - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
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