Rowdies Cal Jennings Voted USL Championship Player of the Week
June 27, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced that Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Cal Jennings was voted Player of the Week for his shift in the club's 4-2 road win versus Loudoun United FC. Jennings tallied two goals and an assist after entering in the 64th minute of the match to lift the Rowdies to their first comeback win of the season.
In his strongest showing since joining Tampa Bay in the offseason, Jennings bagged his first goal only five minutes after coming off the bench by knocking home a cross from fellow substitute Dayonn Harris with his first touch. Nine minutes later, Jennings completed his brace when he pulled back a cross from JJ Williams at the far post to avoid a sliding challenge and then buried the ball with his next touch.
Jennings also displayed wisdom deep in stoppage time to seal the match. Rather than going for goal after earning a breakaway chance, Jennings passed up the chance at a hat trick and slid a pass for the unmarked Jake LaCava to tap into the net.
"This week in training, Cal has been banging in goals left and right," said Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins after win in Loudoun. "He's shown me that he wants those minutes. He's been training well, but this week he really made a point. We got him on early and he showed exactly what he's capable of. At times it's not down to one player and what they're doing. It's down to what the team as a whole is doing. At times Cal has had to play a lesser role than he would've liked. But that's part of being at a big club that wants to win. You've got players for competition. I'm sure Cal will kick on from here."
Jennings earned 67 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Phoenix Rising FC's Panos Armenakas finished second on 20 percent of the vote. The Championship's Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 27, 2023
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- Know Your Opponent: Rio Grande Valley FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Loudoun United FC Sign Columbus Crew Defender Jake Morris on Loan - Loudoun United FC
- Match Preview: RGV FC Set to Face Oakland Roots on the Road - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- Rowdies Jake Lacava Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Goal Lands Osumanu on Team of the Week - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Lindley Named to USLC Team of the Week - Indy Eleven
- Three Republic FC Players Named to USL Championship Week 16 Team of the Week - Sacramento Republic FC
- Memphis 901 FC's Jelani Peters Earns USL Championship Team of the Week Honors - Memphis 901 FC
- Tampa Bay Rowdies' Cal Jennings voted Player of the Week after two goals, one assist performance - USL
- Trinity Health Stadium to Host Inaugural Capital City Music and Beer Festival - Hartford Athletic
- Siaha Earns Second-Consecutive TOTW Honor - Monterey Bay FC
- Rowdies Cal Jennings Voted USL Championship Player of the Week - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- "Fireworks + Soccer" Twice in 4 Days Earliest Show Time in City to Accommodate Families - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Loudoun United FC to Host 703 Night at Segra Field - Loudoun United FC
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