The USL Championship announced today the Team of the Week for Week 20 of the 2022 regular season, honoring Phoenix Rising FC goalkeeper Ben Lundt, after he recorded nine saves in two shutouts last week.
Lundt finished second in the player of the week voting (26 percent) after recording two clean sheets as Rising FC claimed scoreless draws against both Louisville City FC and Sacramento Republic FC.
Orange County SC’s Milan Iloski produced a two goal, two assist performance that led the defending Championship title holders to a 5-2 victory against the LA Galaxy II in the 405 Derby on Saturday night. The award is Iloski’s second of the season, having previously claimed the award in Week 10. The newcomer to Orange County this season has been a leading challenger for the Championship’s Golden Boot. His brace against Los Dos moved him to 14 goals overall this season, one behind current leader Ottar Magnus Karlsson of Roots SC, which Rising faces tomorrow in Oakland (7 p.m. on Bally Sports Arizona). In adding a pair of assists, Iloski became the first player in OCSC history to record two goals and two assists in the same game, and just the 14th all-time. Iloski earned 58 percent of the ballot to claim the award.
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 20
GK – Ben Lundt, Phoenix Rising FC: The German recorded nine saves across a pair of shutouts against Louisville City FC and Sacramento Republic FC, posting a Goals minus Expected Goals mark of -2.49 across the two performances.
D – Tony Leone, Las Vegas Lights FC: The Mexico U-20 international recorded his first goal of the season in Lights FC’s 2-0 victory on the road against Oakland Roots SC and defensively won 6 of 7 duels, 4 of 5 aerial duels, and 2 of 2 tackles.
D – Manny Perez, Louisville City FC: Perez had a strong two-way performance against Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday night, winning 16 of 21 duels and 4 of 6 aerial duels, while also completing 6 of 7 dribbles and 49 of 57 passes at Lynn Family Stadium.
D – Paco Craig, Miami FC: The former Championship All-League selection scored a stoppage-time winner as Miami grabbed a 2-1 victory against Loudoun United FC while completing 68 of 79 passes and recording seven clearances at Segra Field.
M – Tumi Moshobane, San Diego Loyal SC: The South African recorded two goals and one assist across a pair of victories for SD Loyal and notched four chances created while completing 86 of 100 passes overall against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Rio Grande Valley FC.
M – Geobel Perez, Charleston Battery: The Cuban playmaker recorded one goal and one assist while recording two chances created and completing 22 of 27 passes overall in the Battery’s 3-3 draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
M – Maxi Rodriguez, Detroit City FC: Rodriguez had one goal, two shots and three chances created as Le Rouge played to a 2-2 draw with New Mexico United on Saturday night at Keyworth Stadium while completing 27 of 33 passes overall, winning 7 of 9 duels and 3 of 3 aerial duels, and making five interceptions.
M – Florian Valot, Miami FC: The French playmaker recorded the opening goal for Miami in its victory against Loudoun United FC and had two shots and five chances created in the attacking third while winning 6 of 8 duels and making five recoveries defensively.
F – Milan Iloski, Orange County SC: Iloski became the first player in Orange County SC history to record two goals and two assists in the same game as the defending title holders ran away with a 5-2 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday.
F – Steevan Dos Santos, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Cape Verde forward notched a pair of goals on three shots in 52 minutes while completing 8 of 8 passes as the Rowdies claimed a 3-1 victory against Atlanta United 2.
F – Leo Fernandes, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Fernandes continued his standout season with a goal and assist while recording 10 of the Rowdies’ season-high 29 shots and three chances created in the side’s 3-1 victory against Atlanta United 2 at Al Lang Stadium.
Bench: Carlos Saldana (SAC), AJ Paterson (CHS), Shane Wiedt (PIT), Chris Wehan (NM), Jack Blake (SD), Adrian Rebollar (MB), Thomas Amang (SD)
