Sacramento Republic FC’s Maalique Foster earns Player of the Week for two-goal outing in comeback win

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 16 of the 2022 regular season on Tuesday, with Sacramento Republic FC forward Maalique Foster voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording both goals in Republic FC’s 2-1 comeback victory against NorCal rival Monterey Bay F.C. at Cardinale Stadium after coming on as a second-half substitute.

The Jamaican had played fewer than 100 minutes in the league this season due to injuries, with his lone prior goal a late winner against the New York Red Bulls II on May 8. Foster came on as a substitute with 25 minutes remaining in Monterey Bay with Sacramento trailing by a goal but turned the game around with two goals in three minutes, the first in the 74th minute as he broke onto a beautifully played pass by Rodrigo Lopez into the right side of the penalty area and finished low to the left corner. Two minutes later he notched the winner, rising high to head home a cross by Jack Gurr to send Republic FC to its fourth consecutive league win and fifth in a row in all competitions following its Quarterfinal victory in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last Tuesday night against the LA Galaxy.

Foster earned 59 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Memphis 901 FC’s Graham Smith finished second on 18 percent after scoring and helping 901 FC record a shutout in both of the club’s victories during Week 16 against FC Tulsa and Detroit City FC.

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.

GK – Colin Shutler, Orange County SC: Shutler marked his debut in the Championship with a key penalty kick save to keep OCSC level with Loudoun United FC early in the second half, part of a three-save performance in the club’s eventual 3-1 victory.

D – Owen Lambe, LA Galaxy II: Lambe had a strong two-way performance in Los Dos’ 3-1 victory at Miami FC, notching a pair of assists and four chances created while winning 5 of 6 duels, completing 3 of 3 dribbles and recording two interceptions and seven recoveries.

D – Alvaro Quezada, Las Vegas Lights FC: Quezada recorded the opening goal in Lights FC’s 3-2 victory against Phoenix Rising FC and completed 59 of 66 passes while making 10 recoveries, four interceptions and winning 3 of 3 tackles and 7 of 8 duels.

D – Graham Smith, Memphis 901 FC:…