Rowdies Connor Antley, Connor Sparrow Earn Team of the Week Honors
October 3, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 30 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Tampa Bay Rowdies keeper Connor Sparrow and defender Conner Antley making the cut for their shifts in two shutout victories to keep the club in the hunt for the top seed in the playoffs and the Players' Shield.
This is Sparrow's second Team of the Week selection of the season. Tampa Bay's keeper posted five saves in shutout shifts versus Hartford Athletic and Loudoun United, bringing his season total to ten clean sheets and his career total to 40. Sparrow is just the sixth keeper in USL Championship history to reach 40 regular season clean sheets.
Antley is also making his second appearance on the Team of the Week in 2023. The Rowdies veteran was a sturdy defensive presence, filling in on the left side while captain Aaron Guillen was unavailable due to injury. Antley played every minute in both matches for the Rowdies last week, making 19 recoveries and five interceptions while winning 9 of 12 duels and 4 of 6 tackles.
Now in his third season in Tampa Bay, Antley is set for his 100th appearance for the Rowdies across all competitions this Saturday at Al Lang Stadium versus Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
With two matches remaining before the start of the playoffs, the Rowdies currently sit three points back of Pittsburgh for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Rowdies have already locked up a playoff spot and guaranteed a home game in the opening round on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET. However, if the Rowdies can jump Pittsburgh in the final weeks of the regular season, they would clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
USL Championship Team of the Week - Week 30
GK - Connor Sparrow, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The veteran shot-stopper recorded consecutive shutouts in Tampa Bay's victories against Hartford Athletic and Loudoun United FC, making five saves as he reached 40 regular season clean sheets in the Championship's regular season.
D - Aedan Stanley, Miami FC: Stanley recorded one assist and had six chances created overall in Miami's 2-0 victory against Hartford Athletic while defensively he won 2 of 2 tackles and 4 of 4 duels and completed 38 of 49 passes overall.
D - Adrian Diz Pe, Indy Eleven: The Cuban veteran put in a stellar defensive display in his side's 3-0 victory against Detroit City FC on Saturday, winning 5 of 5 tackles and 4 of 5 aerial duels while making five clearances, two interceptions and 10 recoveries as Indy secured its postseason return for the first time since 2019.
D - Conner Antley, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Antley played a key role defensively as the Rowdies recorded shutout wins against Hartford Athletic and Loudoun United FC, making 19 recoveries and five interceptions across two games while winning 9 of 12 duels and 4 of 6 tackles across 180 minutes.
M - Keko, Sacramento Republic FC: The Spanish midfielder scored the opening goal as part of a strong all-around display in Republic FC's 2-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Sunday evening, completing 34 of 43 passes and 4 of 7 dribbles while winning 2 of 2 tackles and 8 of 13 duels and making eight recoveries defensively.
M - Florian Valot, Miami FC: Valot recorded a goal and assist to lead Miami to a 2-0 victory against Hartford Athletic, moving the side above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference, and completed 23 of 31 passes while recording two interceptions and five recoveries.
M - Eric Calvillo, El Paso Locomotive FC: The El Salvador international recorded the game-winning goal and an assist in Locomotive FC's comeback 3-2 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday, while also completing 42 of 51 passes and notching three chances created.
M - Joe Corona, San Diego Loyal SC: The former United States international had one assist and completed 33 of 40 passes and 2 of 2 dribbles overall while making nine recoveries and winning 2 of 2 tackles defensively in his side's 4-1 victory against Monterey Bay F.C.
F - Romario Williams, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Jamaican international scored three goals across two appearances, recording four shots on target overall and two chances created, as the Switchbacks claimed four points to close in on a postseason berth.
F - Ronaldo Damus, San Diego Loyal SC: Damus recorded the second hat trick in SD Loyal history to lead the side to a 4-1 victory against Monterey Bay F.C. that clinched a place in the postseason, and ended the game with six shots overall and two chances created.
F - Albert Dikwa, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Golden Boot leader recorded a pair of goals in the Hounds' 3-2 victory against FC Tulsa, recording three shots and one chance created and completing 14 of 19 passes as Pittsburgh remained on top of the Eastern Conference.
Bench: Andy Thomas (NM), Dani Rovíra (PIT), Cam Lindley (IND), Taylor Davila (RGV), Memo Diaz (OAK), Neco Brett (BHM), Joaquin Rivas (MIA)
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 3, 2023
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- Ronaldo Damus Hat Trick Earns USL Championship Player of the Week Honors - San Diego Loyal
- Republic FC Forward Keko Earns 4th Selection to USL Championship Team of the Week - Sacramento Republic FC
- Rowdies Connor Antley, Connor Sparrow Earn Team of the Week Honors - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- San Diego Loyal SC's Ronaldo Damus voted Player of the Week after first Championship hat trick - USL
- Detroit City FC to Field PASL Team in 2024, Expanding Footprint in Women's Soccer - Detroit City FC
- Hartford Host Rio Grande Valley in Penultimate Home Match of 2023 - Hartford Athletic
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