Tulsa's Mata Named USL Player of the Week
August 2, 2016 - 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)
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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
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