September 27, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Birmingham Legion FC News Release
Birmingham Legion FC center back Alex Crognale
(Birmingham Legion FC)
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 29 of the 2022 regular season on Tuesday, with Legion FC center back Alex Crognale earning a spot in the team for his strong defensive showing in Birmingham’s draw at the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Friday.
Crognale helped anchor a Legion FC defense that went on the road and did a solid job stifling a dangerous Rowdies attack that is currently fourth in the USLC in goals scored this season. Birmingham’s #21 finished the night with the most touches on the team (50), the most clearances (six), and tied for the most interceptions (three), while adding two tackles, one block, and winning three of five duels.
The center back remains dominant in the air, leading the club in aerial duels and aerial duels won for the season. He also paces his team in clearances (114), is second in interceptions (42) and total passes (1,323), and is third in blocks (16). This is the second time this season, and fifth time in his three years in BHM, that Crognale has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week.
Rio Grande Valley FC midfielder Christian Pinzon was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball, for scoring twice in RGV’s victory over Charleston. Pinzon earned 38 percent of the ballot to claim the award. San Antonio FC’s Sam Adeniran finished second on 23 percent after scoring SAFC’s game-winning goal against Sacramento Republic FC in a match that clinched the top seed in the Western Conference.
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 – Jordan Farr, San Antonio FC: Farr posted clean sheets against both Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Sacramento Republic FC as his team notched a pair of narrow 1-0 wins, making a total of five saves.
D – Graham Smith, Memphis 901 FC: In addition to scoring a 95th minute game winner to defeat Louisville, Smith recorded a whopping nine clearances in the match.
D – Michael Bryant, Detroit City FC: Bryant scored the game-tying goal and recorded five interceptions and two clearances in Detroit’s 2-2 draw with FC Tulsa.
D – Matthew Mahoney, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Mahoney racked up 13 clearances, five interceptions and three tackles in games…