Tulsa's Mata Named USL Player of the Week
Published on August 2, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - Tulsa Roughnecks FC forward Cristian Mata has been voted the USL Player of the Week for the 19th week of the 2016 season after leading his side to a 2-1 victory against Arizona United SC on Saturday night. Mata scored both goals for the Roughnecks, including a stoppage-time winner, to earn the side its fifth win of the season.
Mata received 47 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Orange County Blues FC's Trevin Caesar finished second with 41 percent.
USL Team of the Week
GK - Spencer Richey, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: Richey set a franchise record with nine saves as WFC2 earned a 1-1 draw against Colorado Springs.
D - Taylor Hunter, Rio Grande Valley FC: Hunter helped the Toros defense limit a dangerous Sacramento attack in a 0-0 draw on Saturday night.
D - Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers: Didic helped the Rangers defense hold San Antonio to only two shots in the side's 2-1 victory on Saturday night.
D - Cyprian Hedrick, OKC Energy FC: Hedrick put in a big performance as Energy FC held Saint Louis FC to only three shots on goal in a 0-0 draw on Saturday.
M - Maikel Chang, Charleston Battery: Chang had an assist for a second consecutive game to set up Heviel Cordoves' equalizer in a 1-1 draw at FC Cincinnati.
M - Keegan Smith, Orlando City B: Smith capped a good all-around performance with a stoppage-time game-winner against Louisville on Saturday night.
M - Jackson Eskay, Richmond Kickers: Eskay's first professional goal lifted Richmond in stoppage time to a 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls II.
M - Kevin Kerr, Pittsburgh Riverhounds: Kerr scored the opening goal and was strong throughout as the Riverhounds took a 4-1 win at Wilmington.
F - Cristian Mata, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Mata scored both of the Roughnecks' goals, including a stoppage-time winner, in a 2-1 victory against Arizona.
F - Shaan Hundal, Toronto FC II: Named to the USL 20 Under 20 list last week, Hundal scored twice to lead TFC II to a 3-2 win against Bethlehem on Sunday.
F - Trevin Caesar, Orange County Blues FC: Caesar had both goals as Orange County took a 2-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II in the I-405 Derby.
Bench: Matt Cardone (SA), Mikey Ambrose (ORL), Enzo Martinez (CLT), Omar Cummings (CIN), Raheem Edwards (TOR), Corey Hertzog (PGH), Mark Anthony Gonzalez (SPR)
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 2, 2016
- Sacramento Republic FC 1, Oklahoma City Energy FC 0 - Sacramento Republic FC
- NYRB II Routs Harrisburg 5-0, Takes First Place - New York Red Bulls II
- Islanders Unable to Contain NYRB II, Fall 0-5 - Penn FC
- Taylor Hunter Selected to USL Team of the Week - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- Kerr Named to USL Team of the Week - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Cummings Collects USL Weekly Nod - FC Cincinnati
- Tulsa's Mata Named USL Player of the Week - USL
- Tulsa's Mata Named USL Player of the Week - USL
- FC Montreal Hosts FC Cincinnati Wednesday - FC Montreal
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
