The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 4 of the 2024 regular season today with Phoenix Rising FC Goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo earning an honorable mention for his eight save evening in the team’s 1-0 loss to New Mexico on Saturday.
Detroit City FC midfielder Maxi Rodriguez was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after he recorded the game-winning goal and an assist in Le Rouge’s 2-1 victory against Indy Eleven on Saturday night.
Currently in his fourth season with Detroit, Rodriguez has made a bright start to the 2024 campaign while leading Le Rouge to a 100 percent perfect 3-0-0 record to sit tied atop of the Eastern Conference with Louisville City FC. With his side trailing at halftime on Saturday night on the road against Indy, he provided a sharp assist to set up Ali Coote’s finish midway through the second half and then scored from close range with two minutes to go to earn DCFC its second comeback win of the season so far.
“Listen, Maxi is a big game-changer in this league, and we’re delighted to have him, and I’m delighted to work with him,” said DCFC Head Coach Danny Dichio. “You can see the maximum effort that he puts in and it transcends to the rest of the group as well. The boys love him, the staff love him because he comes to work every day with a smile on his face, willing to work, willing to be coached, and those types of players are a joy to work with.”
Rodriguez earned 36 percent of the ballot to claim the award. The Charleston Battery’s Nick Markanich and Louisville City FC’s Wilson Harris finished tied for second on 27 percent as Markanich scored in a third consecutive game to lead Charleston’s comeback victory against Miami FC on Saturday night, while Harris scored twice in LouCity’s 5-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC to move to a league-leading four goals so far this season.
The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 4
GK – Nate Steinwascher, Detroit City FC: The local standout made three saves – including a pair of key stops early in the second half – to keep Detroit in the game against Indy Eleven before the side rallied for a 2-1 victory.
D – Shawn Smart, Las Vegas Lights FC: The 20-year-old won 3 of 4 tackles and 11 of 19 duels while making 10 recoveries, four clearances and two interceptions in Las Vegas’ 3-0 victory on the road against Oakland Roots SC.
D – Mitchell Taintor, San Antonio FC: The veteran center back recorded the assist on San Antonio’s late game-winner against Monterey Bay F.C. and won 2 of 2 tackles and 6 of 6 duels while completing 42 of 53 passes at Toyota Field.
D – Jordan Doherty, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Irish defender scored his first goal for Tampa Bay since 2020 with a powerful header in the side’s 4-1 victory against Rhode Island FC, made one goal line clearance, and won 5 of 5 duels overall.
M – Ray Serrano, Louisville City FC: The 21-year-old earned his second consecutive selection after recording a goal and assist in LouCity’s 5-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC while recording three shots, three chances created and completing 24 of 30 passes overall.
M – Valentin Noël, Las Vegas Lights FC: The French midfielder had a goal and assist and notched three chances created in Las Vegas’ 3-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC while also completing 20 of 28 passes and recording three clearances and four recoveries.
M – Taylor Davila, Louisville City FC: The LouCity newcomer recorded his first goal for the club and provided the assist on the side’s opening goal against Birmingham Legion FC while recording three chances created and completing 55 of 59 passes overall.
M – Maxi Rodriguez, Detroit City FC: The Le Rouge mainstay had the late game-winner against Indy Eleven after earlier recording an assist in his side’s 2-1 win against Indy Eleven and completed 25 of 31 passes overall.
F – Gaoussou Samake, Las Vegas Lights FC: The native of Ivory Coast had one goal and one assist while recording four chances created and completing 11 of 14 passes overall in the Lights’ 3-0 victory on the road in Oakland.
F – Wilson Harris, Louisville City FC: The 24-year-old scored a pair of goals, had three shots on target overall and notched two chances created while also winning 2 of 2 aerial duels as Louisville ran out to a 5-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC.
F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: The 24-year-old scored in his third consecutive game and had four shots on target on six shots while completing 25 of 29 passes and recording three chances created in Charleston’s 2-1 victory against Miami FC.
Coach: Danny Cruz, Louisville City FC: Cruz’s side posted its first five-goal performance since the 2022 season as it defeated Birmingham Legion FC as the side recorded 18 shots in its victory at Lynn Family Stadium.
Bench: Rocco Ríos Novo (PHX), Aaron Guillen (TBR), Arturo Astorga (NM), Rodrigo Lopez (SAC), Ali Coote (DET), Louis Perez (NC), Jorge Hernandez (SA).
