March 21, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 2 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC forward Albert Dikwa voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after scoring the first hat trick of his career in the Hounds’ victory on the road against Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park.
Now in his seventh season in the Championship, the 25-year-old Cameroonian is coming off a breakout season in Pittsburgh in which he recorded a single-season career best 11 goals. He opened his account for the 2023 season in the sixth minute in Memphis, capitalizing from close range after the hosts were unable to clear a free kick from the left. Dikwa doubled his tally six minutes before halftime as he calmly converted from the penalty spot to put the Hounds back ahead, and then added an insurance goal with 19 minutes to go with a crisp, first-time finish from 14 yards.
Dikwa earned 54 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Birmingham Legion FC’s Tyler Pasher finished second on 31 percent after scoring a pair of goals – including a brilliant individual finish that landed at No. 3 on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 on Friday night – in his side’s comeback 3-2 win against FC Tulsa at Protective Stadium.
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 2
GK – Koke Vegas, San Diego Loyal SC: The Spanish shot-stopper recorded his second consecutive shutout to start the season, making three saves as SD Loyal pulled away for a 3-0 victory against Phoenix Rising FC at Torero Stadium.
D – Jonathan Ricketts, Rio Grande Valley FC: Ricketts scored the opening goal for the Toros in their 1-1 draw with Oakland Roots SC and had a stellar defensive display, winning 10 of 12 duels and 2 of 3 aerial duels while recording seven clearances and seven recoveries.
D – Aaron Guillen, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The veteran center back made a crucial goal line clearance to keep Tampa Bay in the game against Orange County and won 9 of 9 duels, made nine recoveries and completed 5 of 5 dribbles as the Rowdies rallied for a 1-1 draw.
D – Mitchell Taintor, San Antonio FC: Taintor put in a big individual defensive display with four interceptions, 10 clearances and 12 recoveries while winning 3 of 3 aerial duels in…