USL Week 11 Pro honors announced

Published on July 1, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced the USL First Division and USL Second Division Team of the Week honors Tuesday for Week 11 of the season, honoring Puerto Rico's Jonathan Steele and Crystal Palace's Sergio Flores as the Players of the Week, respectively.

Having exchanged last place in the table with the Rochester Rhinos over the past few weeks, the Puerto Rico Islanders used a pair of victories over the Minnesota Thunder and a Rhino loss in Charleston to move four points clear of the cellar on the weekend behind the efforts, in part, of former Rhino Jonathan Steele.

Ina stalemate of an opening meeting Friday, a penalty from defender Cristian Arrieta proved the difference as Steele helped lead the Islanders to their third win in 10 games. Two nights later Steele took a more prominent role in the attack.

The scoring opened when Arrieta found a wide open Steele, who made a brilliant assist, allowing Josh Hansen to put the ball past Nicolas Platter for goal number one 28 minutes in. Another 28 minutes later, he began the play that led to doubling the lead. Steele found an open Noah Delgado, who in turn assisted Sandy Gbandi for the goal, giving the locals the 2-0 advantage in minute 56.

Steele scored his first goal of the year 25 minutes later on an assist from Andres Cabrero nine minutes from time to put the match out of reach with Minnesota adding a consolation strike with four minutes left to leave it 3-1. It was Steele's third goal in five years in USL-1.

With second place Cleveland playing to a second consecutive scoreless draw, Crystal Palace Baltimore used the opportunity to move within one point of what would be a first round playoff bye with a 2-1 victory at Real Maryland Sunday courtesy of reserve striker Sergio Flores.

With a US Open Cup contest against the New York Red Bulls two nights further down the schedule, Palace took an opportunity against the Monarchs, who were in the lower half of the table, to rest a number of regular starters, including star strikers Gary Brooks and Matthew Mbuta. Sergio Flores relished the opportunity and proved himself on the night with a goal and assist.

After receiving the ball from Flores in the 34th minute, Cecil Lewis beat two Real Maryland defenders and found himself with Flores in the box with just the 'keeper to beat. Lewis opted to do it himself, calmly slotting the ball home past the charging Zelaya.

With the game level in the 55th minute, it was another nice build-up from Palace as Kevin King crossed from the right corner. Flores was all set to head the ball in from eight yards out but Zelaya leapt high to pluck the ball off the Palace striker's head.

Palace's inevitable second goal and game-winner came just sixty seconds later. King suddenly popped up on the left side, out-muscled his marker on his run into the box, forcing his way around the defender. As King bore down on goal, Zelaya committed himself, leaving Flores wide open 10 yards out. King fed the ball perfectly to the feet of Flores and, despite the best efforts of a Real defender scrambling back to the cover the goal, Flores buried his finish to restore Palace's lead as they held on for the win.

USL First Division Team of the Week

Pos

Name

Team

Highlights

G

Chris McClellan

Carolina

Five saves in 1-0 win over Portland

D

Michael Rodriguez

Seattle

Led team in 1-1 draw against Montreal

D

Cristian Arrieta

Puerto Rico

Goal in 1-0 win over Minnesota

D

Stefano Pesoli

Montreal

Goal in 1-1 draw at Seattle

D

Kupono Low

Carolina

Led team in 1-0 win over Portland

*

M

Jonathan Steele

Puerto Rico

Goal, assist in 3-1 win over Minnesota

M

Martin Nunez

Carolina

Goal in 1-0 win over Portland

M

Chris Brown

Portland

Goal in 2-0 win at Atlanta

M

Sandi Gbandi

Puerto Rico

Goal in 3-1 win over Minnesota

F

Randi Patterson

Charleston

Goal in 3-1 win over Rochester

F

Andre Schmid

Seattle

Goal in 1-1 draw against Montreal

USL Second Division Team of the Week

Pos

Name

Team

Highlights

G

John O'Hara

Wilmington

Nine saves in 1-1 draw at Harrisburg

D

Steve Shak

Charlotte

Led team in 0-0 draw at Western Mass

D

Trevor McEachron

Richmond

Led team to road win and draw

D

Mark Schulte

Cleveland

Led team in 0-0 draw against Richmond

D

Dustin Bixler

Harrisburg

Led team in 1-1 draw against Wilmington

M

Keishan Bean

Bermuda

Goal in 1-1 draw against Charlotte

M

Adrian Bumbut

Richmond

Two assists in 3-1 win at Pittsburgh

M

Trey Alexander

Wilmington

Goal in 1-1 draw at Harrisburg

M

Ricky Schramm

Richmond

Goal in 3-1 win at Pittsburgh

*

F

Sergio Flores

CP Baltimore

Goal, assist in 2-1 win at Real Maryland

F

Brady Bryant

Charlotte

Goal in 1-1 draw at Bermuda

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