Romario, Ssejjemba named Players of the Week
Published on May 15, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1) News Release
TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced Monday its USL First and Second Division Teams of the Week for the fourth week of the season, honoring Romario of Miami FC and Richmond's Robert Ssejjemba as the USL First and Second Division Players of the Week, respectively.
In his second appearance with the club Romario found his form and led the expansion team to its first win in USL competition with a pair of goals, including the dramatic game-winner in the 89th minute Friday as they edged the visiting Portland Timbers.
An early goal gave Portland the lead seven minutes in, but Romario answered six minutes later with a fantastic goal. Guatemalan international Mario Rodriguez sent a cross in the penalty box that the Brazilian World Cup champion chested down, squared and launched from 12 yards out.
Jamaican international Sean Fraser gave Miami the lead and Portland leveled in the 86th on a penalty sending the match to what appeared to be a draw until Romario found net again. Romario got on the end of a floating Oscar Gil cross in the 89th to nod home the game-winner.
After losing 1-0 in their season opener, the Richmond Kickers have gone on a tear, scoring 14 goals in their last three. Robert Ssejjemba helped lead Richmond to two wins last weekend with three goals and an assist.
Ssejjemba opened the weekend with a 4-2 win over the defending champion Charlotte Eagles with a pair of goals. Trailing 1-0 on an own goal, The Kickers put in four straight with Ssejjemba striking in the 31st and 45th minutes on assists from Mike Burke and Chris Carrieri.
Two nights later, Ssejjemba scored his third of the weekend and fourth of the season in the 25th minute to give the Kickers a 2-0 lead over the Harrisburg City Islanders. He would go on to set up Mike Burke in the 48th to make it 4-0 as they rolled to a decisive 5-2 victory.
Ssejjemba had just three goals in 22 appearances last season in the USL First Division for the Kickers.
USL First Division Team of the Week
Pos Name Team Highlights
G Keith Wiggans Charleston Six saves in 3-1 win over Montreal
D Kevin Friedland Minnesota Led Thunder to 1-1 draw at Seattle
D Frankie Sanfillipo Rochester Assist in 2-0 win over Toronto
D Ben Somoza Seattle Led Soundersto 1-1 draw agianst Minnesota
D Alejandro Gonzalez Puerto Rico Goal in 3-1 win over Porltland
M Oscar Gil Miami Game-winner in 1-0 win over Altanta
M Omar Daley Charleston Goal in 3-1 win over Montreal
M Mike Wilson Minnesota Goal in 1-1 draw at Seattle
* F Romario Miami Two goals in 3-2 win over Portland
F Joey Gjertsen Vancouver Goal, assist in 3-0 win over Minnesota
F Caleb Norkus Puerto Rico Two goals in 3-1 win over Portland
USL Second Division Team of the Week
Pos Name Team Highlights
G Terry McNellis Pittsburgh Six saves in 0-0 draw at Cincinnati
D Marc Hubbard New Hampshire Goal in 1-1 draw against Wilmington
D Derek Smith Cincinnati Led Kings to 0-0 draw against Pittsburgh
D Jason Karalexis Wilmington Led 10-man team to 1-1 draw at New Hampshire
M Matt Tanzini Harrisburg Goal in 5-2 loss at Richmond
M Kenny Bundy Wilmington Goal in 1-1 draw at New Hampshire
M Mike Burke Richmond Goal, two assists in two wins
M Matt Watson Richmond Two goals in two wins
* F Robert Ssejjemba Richmond Three goals, assist in two wins
F Chris Carrieri Richmond Goal, two assists in two wins
F Jacob Coggins Charlotte Goal in 4-2 loss at Richmond
USL First Division Stories from May 15, 2006
- Romario, Ssejjemba named Players of the Week - USL-1
- Lightning announces signings of four Gopher players - Minnesota Thunder
- Whitecaps Win 3-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
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