Rocco Rios Novo and Kevon Lambert Named to USL Championship Team of the Week

April 25, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Phoenix Rising FC News Release

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 7 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Rising goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo and defender Kevon Lambert earning a spot on the squad for their performances in a 1-1 draw against San Antonio FC on Saturday, April 22.

Novo recorded saves in the 88th, 80th, 65th and 61st minutes to preserve Rising’s 1-1 draw after his team went down a man due to a red card in the 56th minute. He finished the match with eights saves and now ranks second in the USL Championship with 25 on the season.

Lambert earned a Team of the Week nod for the second match in a row after recording 10 clearances, two interceptions and winning 10 of 13 duels. The defender also won five of six ariel duels.

Monterey Bay F.C. forward Christian Volesky was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball for the second time this season after recording a goal and assist in his side’s 3-2 victory against Indy Eleven on Saturday night at Michael A. Carroll Stadium.

The veteran forward claimed his second Player of the Week honor in the past three weeks after leading Monterey Bay back from a halftime deficit on the road at Indy. Trailing by a goal, Volesky pulled MBFC level in the 58th minute as he made an incisive run to lead a pass by Morey Doner before curling a finish into the top-left corner from 14 yards. Volesky then played provider on Monterey Bay’s winner five minutes later as he slipped a pass to Nevello Yoseke inside the penalty area for a shot to the right corner for the Sudanese midfielder’s first goal for the club.

Volesky earned 46 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Loudoun United FC’s Panos Armenakas, Memphis 901 FC’s Graham Smith and San Diego Loyal SC’s Joe Corona each finished tied for second on 15 percent after stellar performances in their respective clubs’ victories over the past weekend.

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 7

GK – Rocco Rios Novo, Phoenix Rising FC: The Argentine shot-stopper continued his impressive run of form, posting an eight-save performance to help Rising FC claim a 1-1 draw on the road against San Antonio FC.

D – Graham Smith, Memphis 901 FC: The center back had a strong all-around performance, scoring his first…