September 27, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Richmond Kickers News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One announced on Tuesday that Richmond Kickers’ midfielder Ethan Bryant was named to the league’s team of the week for week 26 following his performance in the Kickers’ 1-1 draw against Central Valley Fuego FC that extended the first-place club’s unbeaten streak to six matches. Bryant’s team of the week-worthy performance is presented by Legends Soccer Co.
Bryant earns his third placement in the league’s weekly honors after previously earning spots in weeks 10 and 11.
“It’s an honor to be mentioned in the team of the week,” Bryant said. “We played a good game on Saturday and were unfortunate to not get three points. The position we are in the table is reflective of the quality performances we’ve had throughout the course of the season. All eyes on Saturday in Georgia.”
In the Kickers’ match against Fuego on Saturday night, it was Bryant that opened the scoring. Bryant played the role of creator first in the build-up as he laced a ball to Jonathan Bolanos on the left wing. As Bolanos raced up the wing, Bryant made a penetrating run up the center of the pitch to stay parallel with Bolanos. Seeing an opening, Bolanos delivered a low-driven ball to Bryant at the top of the box and the midfielder ripped off a rocket shot that knocked the dust out of the right upper 90.
The combination between the two players further proved the comfortability Bryant has continued to play with since joining the Kickers initially on loan during the 2021 season and resigning permanently ahead of the 2022 season.
Bryant’s goal marked his third of the season and third with the club – all assisted by Bolanos – and it also marked the new USL League One single-season assist record set by Bolanos with 11 on the season. The night Bryant bagged his first two goals, Bolanos tied the league record for most assists in a game with three.
“It was electric just going to the corner and being able to celebrate with the Red Army,” Bryant said. “It’s a feeling I can’t describe, it’s a feeling I’ll always remember.”
Bryant finished his Keiter CPA Man of the Match-earning performance with a chance created, winning possession four times without conceding a foul and completing two-thirds of his dribbles successfully.
The Kickers have two upcoming road matches on Saturday, Oct. 1 at South Georgia Tormenta FC and Saturday, Oct. 8 at Forward Madison FC before returning home to host Greenville…