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USL Week 6 pro honors announced

May 19, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


TAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues announced the Team of the Week honors for the sixth week of the USL season, honoring Rochester's Scott Vallow as the USL First Division Player of the Week and Baltimore's Matthew Mbuta as the USL Second Division Player of the Week.

After suffering a late 2-1 defeat in Portland Thursday, Scott Vallow rebounded with a stellar performance Saturday in Vancouver as he stopped 11 shots, including a penalty, to lead the Rhinos to a victory.

Whitecaps fans had to wait 31 minutes for their side to produce quality goal scoring chances, with Wes Knight curling a fine cross in from the right to Ansu Toure at the far post. With a clear sight of goal, the winger's header flew straight at Vallow, who reacted well to tip the ball over his crossbar for a corner. Two minutes later, Knight tried his luck from long range, but his well-hit strike found the assured arms of Vallow in the Rochester goal.

The home side created two more chances through Vicente Arze before the break. On 40 minutes, the Bolivian struck a shot right at Vallow before the South American forced an even better save from the Rhinos captain in the one minute of time added on after he headed Takashi Hirano's cross from the left on target at the far post. Vallow continued to deny the Blue and White with more saves against Charles Gbeke and Arze on the hour mark. He also denied Toure on two occasions three minutes later.

Then as the match reached the midway point of the half, the Whitecaps were handed a chance to get back into the contest when match referee Justin Tasev awarded the home side a penalty after Rhinos defender Kenney Bertz had shoved Marcus Haber to the ground in the Rochester box following a fine forward run by the Vancouver striker. The responsibility of the spot kick fell to Toure, but Vallow was equal to his effort, making a fine save from the winger moments later.

Returning, on loan, to Crystal Palace Baltimore for the first time since signing with the New York Red Bulls, Mbuta made his presence known early as they played host to Western Mass. He tested goalkeeper Matthew Jones twice early on, but in the 28th minute the young Cameroonian got the better of the Western Mass 'keeper. A Pioneers' defender misplayed the ball attempting to clear his line and Mbuta stole it, beat another defender and slotted past Jones with ease.

Palace's best chance in the second half was created by Val Teixeira, who released Mbuta on goal, but when it seemed certain that Palace would double their lead, the Pioneers' goalie somehow managed to keep his team in the game with a stunning block.

Mbuta gave Palace an early lead for a second consecutive night Saturday against Charlotte. Palace controlled the match with Mbuta linking up well with John Barry Nusum. On 17 minutes, the Bermudian international was put through by Mbuta but Trapp denied him at close range. On 20 minutes, it was Nusum's turn to feed the young Cameroonian. Mbuta took the ball wide left to get around the Charlotte 'keeper, but after beating Kevin Trapp, his goal-bound effort was somehow cleared off the line by the retreating Chris Lemons.

A minute later however, nobody could stop Mbuta. He stole the ball from Charlotte defender Josh Rife 40 yards from goal, stormed up the field and waited for Trapp to commit before chipping it past him to give Palace the lead. Mbuta continued to terrorize the Charlotte defense, but as halftime approached, it was Jordan Seabrook's turn to threaten after nice interplay between Teixeira and Mbuta, but the rookie's low shot just slid past the left post from 18 yards out and Palace headed for the locker room with a slender one goal advantage.

One minute into the second period, Mbuta once again was breaking into the box but this time, the Charlotte 'keeper made a sliding challenge and took the Palace player out just inside the penalty area. Referee Debbie Coleman pointed straight at the spot and booked Trapp for the challenge. Shintaro Harada stepped up to take the penalty kick, but sent his effort a foot over the crossbar. That miss would come back to haunt the Baltimore side as Charlotte rallied to post a stunning 2-1 victory on a late penalty.



USL First Division Stories from May 19, 2009


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