Vinyals Named USL League One Player of the Week; Monticelli Named to Team of the Week
Published on June 7, 2021 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, Va. - USL League One announced on Monday that Richmond Kickers' midfielder Nil Vinyals was named USL League One Player of the Week for Week 9; defender Juan Pablo Monticelli was also named to the Team of the Week. Both players were honored for their performances in the team's 3-2 win over New England Revolution II this past Saturday.
Vinyals pulled the strings for the Kickers' attack. The Spaniard was instrumental in the team scoring the fastest goal of the 2021 season as he unlocked Jonathan Bolanos on the left wing with a perfectly penetrating ball before Bolanos set up Matt Bolduc's goal 25 seconds after the first whistle. Vinyals was credited with a second-assist on the play.
"I am grateful that my performance helped the team attain the win," Vinyals said. "Our improvement in possession allowed us to keep more of the ball and create more advantages going forward. Thankful to be part of a team that shows its true character when they face adversity."
Late in the first half, Vinyals would record his first assist of the night as he placed a curling effort from the corner that Monticelli guided into the goal to retake the lead.
Finally, Vinyals partnered with Emiliano Terzaghi for what would be the game-winner. Bolduc served up a driven cross into the box that Vinyals received and then quickly played a one-two with Terzaghi. Instead of shooting, Vinyals would make one final square pass back to Terzaghi who stood in front of a wide-open net and glanced the ball in to take a 3-1 lead.
"Nil has steadily improved in the statistical categories in regards to our game model and in the position he is playing for us," Kickers' Sporting Director and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky said. "Nil has a fast brain, and we are seeing this more and more in regards to his ability to dictate our tempo in games. Congratulations on the recognition, good for him."
Vinyals joins Monticelli as the second Richmond Kicker to be named USL League One Player of the Week during the 2021 season.
Monticelli makes his first appearance on the Team of the Week after earning a Player of the Week honor following his performance at Revs II on opening weekend.
"It feels great to contribute to the team to get three important points at home versus a good team," Monticelli said. "On a personal level, I'm happy to be on the team of the week. It's a great feeling when your work is recognized. Hopefully, it's the second of many to come!"
The defender was active on the left flank for the Kickers against an active New England attack. He recorded six (6) interceptions, three (3) blocks, and one (1) tackle. On the attack, along with his headed goal in the first half, Monticelli recorded another shot on target as well as an 81.3 percent passing accuracy in the New England half.
"I am happy for Monti as he comes to work every day with his sack lunch ready to get to work," Sawatzky said. "He takes on information and works to get better in the group. He is improving and has an impact in games for us. We are looking forward to his growth through the season."
The Kickers are back on the road this Saturday, June 12 at a resurgent Forward Madison FC for the first edition of the 2021 Henny Derby. Kickoff for that match is set for 8 p.m E.T. The Kickers return home to face Union Omaha for the clubs' first-ever meeting at City Stadium on Saturday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for that match are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.
USL League One Team of the Week - Week 9
GK - Luis Zamudio, Fort Lauderdale CF: Zamudio's performance in Fort Lauderdale's win against North Carolina was nothing short of spectacular. The young goalkeeper made eight saves to help his side sustain waves of pressure from their opposition.
D - Juan Pablo Monticelli, Richmond Kickers: For the second time this season, Monticelli scored Richmond's second goal in a game against New England from a corner kick just before halftime. He also made six interceptions and five recoveries.
D - Brian Rosales, Fort Lauderdale CF: Rosales completed an incredible 96 percent of his 67 attempted passes against North Carolina. He created one chance, won two duels, and made four recoveries as well.
D - Damia Viader, Union Omaha: Viader put in another incredible performance for Omaha in midweek against Toronto FC II, assisting the team's equalizer while completing five successful dribbles and leading all players with five chances created. He was solid again in Omaha's impressive away win against Forward Madison FC on Sunday, creating four chances and making eight recoveries.
M - Nil Vinyals, Richmond Kickers: Vinyals rounded off his two-assist performance against the New England Revolution II with four chances created in total, an 82 percent pass completion rate, and two successful dribbles.
M - George Acosta, Fort Lauderdale CF: One of League One's brightest creators so far this season, Acosta added a league-leading fifth assist to his resume against Forward Madison in midweek. Across Fort Lauderdale's two games last week, he totaled six chances created, 10 duels won, and 19 recoveries.
M - Selmir Miscic, North Carolina FC: Even in defeat, Miscic continued his brilliant run of form for NCFC. The precocious talent scored his third goal in five games, and created six chances while passing at an 85 percent accuracy rate.
M - Daniel Bedoya, FC Tucson: Bedoya's excellent delivery assisted Giovanni Calixtro for Tucson's equalizer against Toronto FC II. He was unlucky not to score a stoppage time winner himself when he hit the woodwork in spectacular fashion from distance, and created four chances in total on the night.
F - Emir Alihodzic, Union Omaha: Alihodzic was involved in both Omaha goals in the team's win over Madison, even if only one went to his name on the scoresheet. The Bosnian forward headed in the winner, and his presence played a role in the deflection which resulted in a Madison own goal to give Omaha the lead in the first half.
F - Azaad Liadi, South Georgia Tormenta FC: On a stormy night in Statesboro where both sides struggled to create chances, Liadi's instincts helped Tormenta break its losing streak with a 1-0 win against Chattanooga. The striker reacted quickest to a rebound in the box, and poked it home for the game's only goal.
F - Jake Keegan, Forward Madison FC: Keegan scored in both of Madison's matches this week to bring his tally this season up to four, second only to Greenville's Marios Lomis in the Golden Boot race.
United Soccer League One Stories from June 7, 2021
- Daniel Bedoya Named to Team of the Week - FC Tucson
- Tormenta FC 2 Star Rodney Michael Joins USL League One Roster - South Georgia Tormenta FC
- Omaha Moves into First with Win over Madison - Union Omaha
- Vinyals Named USL League One Player of the Week; Monticelli Named to Team of the Week - Richmond Kickers
- Richmond Kickers midfielder Nil Vinyals named Player of the Week - USL1
- Historic Press Conference Tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. ET - South Georgia Tormenta FC
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