Bolanos Named USL League One Week 11 Player of the Week; Bentley and Bryant Named to Team of the Week

June 13, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Richmond Kickers News Release

TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One announced on Monday that Richmond Kickers’ forward Jonathan Bolanos was named Week 11 Player of the Week after notching three assists and setting up the fourth goal in the Kickers’ 4-0 victory over Charlotte Independence, Saturday night. Midfielder Ethan Bryant and forward Matthew Bentley join Bolanos on the team of the week after the duo each scored two goals during the match. The trio’s team of the week-worthy performances are presented by Legends Soccer Co.

Bolanos earns his first Player of the Week honor since joining the team in his rookie season in 2020. This marks the second time the third-year pro has earned a weekly honor from the league after making the 2020 Week 13 Team of the Week.

“To be named USL League One Player of the Week is a great honor,” Bolanos said. “The time I had to spend away from the pitch to start the season was tough, but it allowed me to focus on being present, to actively observe our new lineups and how I may add to our attack when I got the chance.

“I would really like to thank our athletic trainer, Gigo, for getting me back on the field quickly and to the rest of the technical staff for their confidence in me.”

Since returning from an upper-body injury suffered in the team’s first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match on April 6, Bolanos quickly acclimated back into the team after appearing off the bench against North Carolina FC on May 28 and starting in every match since.

The 24-year-old erupted against Charlotte, assisting all three of the Kickers’ first-half goals – tying USL League One’s single-match assist record. He nearly made league history in the second half when he played a cross into the danger area as Emiliano Terzaghi and Bentley crashed into the box. The cross took a slight deflection off of a Charlotte defender, negating an assist credit, but finding Bentley on the back post for the Kickers’ fourth goal of the night.

“It was great to be able to contribute to all four goals,” Bolanos said. “Coming out fast and being aggressive on the attack was my mentality going into this game. I knew that if I was in the right areas in our game plan the chances would come.”

He finished with five chances created and two shots on target while winning 60 percent of his dribbles. On top of the success in the attack, Bolanos put in a complete shift, winning 8 of 13 total duels including winning 100 percent of his aerial duels….