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Ronaldo Damus Hat Trick Earns USL Championship Player of the Week Honors

October 3, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


SAN DIEGO - San Diego Loyal SC forward Ronaldo Damus was voted The USL Championship Player of the Week for his performance in the club's 4-1 win against Monterey Bay F.C. on Sept. 30. Joe Corona was also named to the USL Championship Team of the Week after a stellar performance from the San Diego native in the same match.

Damus scored a hat trick and was a major factor in the club's attack as SD Loyal clinched its third-straight playoff berth in front of a sold out Torero Stadium. Corona assisted one of Damus' goals and was constantly involved in the team's dominant performance. The win earned three more points and helped SD Loyal move up to No. 3 in the Western Conference standings.

Damus recorded the second hat trick in club history (Rubio Rubin, Sept. 19, 2020) scoring his eighth, ninth and 10th goals of the season. The Haitian striker is now tied with Evan Conway as the club's top scorer in 2023. Damus' first goal tied the match 1-1 against Monterey Bay as he charged in on a header off a cross by Blake Bodily in the 26th minute. His second score came in the 73rd minute when he took a quick pass from Corona and tapped it in to extend SD Loyal's lead to 3-1. Damus would seal the win and his hat trick when he curled a low shot inside the right post to finish a breakaway in stoppage time. Damus, who had a pair of hat tricks for North Texas SC in USL League One in 2019, earned 46 percent of the ballot to earn the Player of the Week honors. This is the second time Damus earns such honors. He was named the Week 13 USL Championship Player of the Week on June 6.

Corona, who was an integral part of the club's attack and defensive recovery efforts, recorded his second assist of the season. The San Diego native completed 33 of 40 passes and 2 of 2 dribbles overall while making nine recoveries and winning 2 of 2 tackles defensively.

This is the second time a pair of SD Loyal players have earned USL Championship Team of the Week honors in 2023. Blake Bodily and Adrien Perez were named to the Week 19 list for their performance in SD Loyal's 5-0 win at Colorado Springs on July 14.

Damus and Corona are the 10th and 11th SD Loyal honorees named to the USL Championship's Team of the Week in 2023:

Oct. 3: Joe Corona and Ronaldo Damus (Player of the Week)

Sept. 5: Collin Martin

Aug. 29: Tumi Moshobane

July 18: Adrien Perez and Blake Bodily

June 20: Alejandro Guido

June 6: Ronaldo Damus (Player of the Week)

April 25: Joe Corona

March 21: Koke Vegas

March 14: Jackson Simba

SD Loyal now heads into its next match against El Paso Locomotive FC tomorrow, Oct. 4 (6 p.m., ESPN+). The trip to Texas marks the second-to-last road match of the regular season as the club heads into its final three regular season matches. The club will host Oakland Roots SC this Saturday, Oct. 14 (7 p.m.) before wrapping up the regular season at Las Vegas Lights FC next Saturday, Oct. 14 (7:30 p.m., ESPN+). Tickets to the final home match of the regular season are available now at sdloyal.com/tickets.

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