USL announces weekly honors
Published on May 6, 2003 under A-League (A-League) News Release
TAMPA, FL â United Soccer Leagues announced its Teams and Players of the Week for the A-League, USL Pro Select League and Premier Development League for the third week of the USL season, honoring Seattle's Kyle Smith, Reading's Alex Radovic and Rhode Island's Zico Antunes.
The Seattle Sounders downed their rival Portland Timbers on consecutive night's to open the season and qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second straight year. Forward Kyle Smith took part in all three goals in the 1-0 and 2-0 wins.
In the opening match in Portland Thursday night, Smith scored the game-winner in the 35th minute on an assist from Alex Bengard.
The following night in Seattle, he broke a scoreless match in the 78th minute when Leighton O'Brien set him up for his second game-winner of the weekend. Smith would turn provider two minutes later, connecting with former college roommate Sean-Michael Callahan for an insurance goal.
Smith is in his third season with the club, having played a limited role in the past. He played just 459 minutes in 17 games for the Sounders last year, scoring two goals, and 689 minutes in 13 games, tallying a goal and an assist in 2001.
The Reading Rage are off to a hot start with a 3-0-0 mark, matching last year's entire win total. Leading the way in the club's two matches this past weekend was Reading forward Alex Radovic, who tallied two goals and an assist in their pair of wins over Northern Virginia and New Jersey.
At RFK Stadium Saturday, the Rage defeated the Northern Virginia Royals 1-0 on a goal from Radovic in the 56th minute of play.
The following night at home, the Rage fell behind 1-0 on a penalty kick in the 16th minute, but rebounded a minute later to tie the game when Radovich set up midfielder Eric Puls. Radovic would tally his second game-winner of the weekend in the 35th minute on an assist from Mike Fenger.
The Rhode Island Stingrays opened their second PDL season with a 3-0 victory over the Barons in South Jersey Saturday courtesy of a hat-trick from forward Zico Antunes.
Antunes, who tallied 12 goals and four assists for 28 points last season, broke the scoreless draw with his first strike in the 59th minute and then put the game away with goals in the 72nd and 83rd minutes.
Antunes was named to the Team of the Week twice last season with outstanding offensive performances, including a hat-trick versus Worcester, but was edged out for the Player of the Week honors both times.
With just two games played on Opening Night for the W-League Saturday, the first set of W-League honors will be announced next week.
Teams of the Week
A-League
Pos Name Team Highlights
G Theo Zagar Toronto Six saves in 2-0 win at Pittsburgh
D Adrian Serioux Toronto Strong defensive game in 2-0 win at Pittsburgh
D Jordan Gillespie Calgary Goal in 2-1 win at Seattle
D Chris Fox Richmond Solid play in 2-0 win at Atlanta
M Alfredo Valente Vancouver Three assists in 6-0 win over Calgary
M Kevin Knight Richmond Goal in 2-0 win at Atlanta
M Steve Kindel Vancouver Goal, two assists in 6-0 win over Calgary
M Eric Ozimek Atlanta Two assists in comeback 2-2 tie at Rochester
F Kyle Smith Seattle Two goals, assist leads Seattle to US Open Cup berth
F Gabe Valencia Syracuse Two goals in club's inaugural match, 3-1 win at Charlotte
F Josh Henderson Charleston Two goals in 3-1 win over Virginia Beach
USL Pro Select League
Pos Name Team Highlights
G Greg Sherwood Reading 13 saves, 1 goal allowed in pair of wins
D Kurt Nusshag Reading Solid play in pair of wins
D Paul Brooks Long Island Solid play in 3-0 win at Westchester
D Reggie River Northern Virginia Solid play in 1-0 loss to Reading
M Sterling Wescott Utah Two goals in 6-0 win over Nevada
M Eric Puls Reading Goal, assist in 3-1 win over New Jersey
M Enrique Tovar California Goal in 3-2 comeback win at San Diego
M Brett Davis Long Island Goal in 3-0 win at Westchester
F Alex Radovic Reading Two goals, assist in pair of wins
F Bjorn Hansen New Hampshire Two goals, assist in 3-2 win over Western Mass
F Cordt Weinstein Long Island Goal, assist in 3-0 win at Westchester
A-League Stories from May 6, 2003
- 'Lose Yourself' at Freebie Friday - Indiana Blast
- Defender Matt Bobo Re-United with Ex-Teammates - Milwaukee Wave United
- USL announces weekly honors - A-League
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