Week 20 USL-1 honors announced
August 25, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release
TAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues announced the Team of the Week honors for the 20th week of the USL season, honoring Vancouver's Charles Gbeke as the USL First Division Player of the Week.
The Vancouver Whitecaps posted a five-point week with a pair of draws on the road and a win at home. Charles Gbeke provided three of the four goals in the three contests.
After serving as a threat in a 1-1 draw in Carolina Tuesday, Gbeke wasted no time in Charleston, giving the Whitecaps the lead five minutes in when he got behind the defense on a cross and put the ball past Keith Wiggans from eight yards out in another 1-1 draw Thursday.
Back at home on Sunday, Gbeke nearly set Marcus Haber up for the opener and almost had it himself off a header on a corner in the first half. But as the stalemate wore on toward a third draw, Gbeke stepped up to deliver the win. A Gordon Chin cross from deep on the opposite side found him at the edge of the area, where he stretched out to send a looping header over the keeper and into the far corner in the 80th minute for the lead.
In stoppage time, Gbeke raced up the field to provide assistance for Randy Edwini-Bonsu, who had beaten the defense on the flank and was on a breakaway to goal. As the defense caught up in the box, Edwini-Bonsu slipped the ball to Gbeke for the finish to cap the match.
The three goals moved Gbeke into a tie for fourth in the league in goals with eight on the season, three back of league leader Mandjou Keita of Portland, who tallied two more on the week.
USL First Division Team of the Week
Pos Name Team Highlights
G Hunter Gilstrap Cleveland Three saves in 1-0 win over Minnesota
D Jeremy Tolleson Carolina Led team in 0-0 draw at Rochester
D Cedric Joqueviel Montreal Led team in 2-0 win over Austin
D Takashi Hirano Vancouver Led team in draw and win
M Ian Fuller Charleston Goal in 1-1 draw against Vancouver
M Nano Short Rochester Goal in 3-3 draw against Minnesota
M Jason Hotchkin Cleveland Goal, assist in win and loss
M Jeremiah Bass Minnesota Goal in 3-3 draw at Rochester
F Peter Byers Montreal Two goals in pair of wins
F Charles Gbeke Vancouver Three goals in win and draw
F Mandjou Keita Portland Two goals, assist in 3-1 win over Miami
USL First Division Stories from August 25, 2009
- Miami FC Continues Raod Trip - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Timbers Playoff Ticket Packages Go On Sale Wednesday - Portland Timbers
- Hotchkin and Gilstrap Named To Week 20 USL-1 Team of the Week - Cleveland City Stars
- Week 20 USL-1 honors announced - USL-1
- Tolleson named to USL-1 Team of the Week - North Carolina FC
- RailHawks eye record with Miami coming to town - North Carolina FC
- Whitecaps Continue Partnership with FC Energie Cottbus - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Miami FC Goes Freestyle - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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