May 2, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Rio Grande Valley FC Toros News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 8 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Birmingham Legion FC’s Enzo Martinez voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after an outstanding performance that saw him record two goals and one assist in leading Legion FC to a 3-2 comeback victory against Hartford Athletic on Sunday evening.
Sunday saw Martinez reach a pair of personal landmarks while helping drive his team to a victory that moved it to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. With Birmingham trailing by a goal at the halftime break, the 32-year-old leveled the game in the 65th minute for his 100th goal contribution (goals+assists) in the Championship’s regular season. After Hartford regained the lead two minutes later, Martinez struck again with 12 minutes to go to pull the hosts level, and then in second-half stoppage time delivered a corner kick that was headed home by Alex Crognale for the winner, and Martinez’s 40th regular season assist of his career.
Martinez earned 67 percent of the ballot to claim the award. New Mexico United’s Joshua Dolling finished second on 22 percent as he recorded the first three-assist game in United’s history in the club’s 3-1 victory against Orange County SC, which also stands as the 25th instance of a three-assist game in the Championship’s regular season overall.
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 8
GK – Leo Diaz, Las Vegas Lights FC: The Argentine recorded a crucial early penalty kick save and posted a three-save performance overall as Lights FC earned a 1-1 draw on the road against defending title holder San Antonio FC.
D – Jonathan Ricketts, Rio Grande Valley FC: The Toros’ right back put in a stellar defensive display winning 3 of 3 tackles, 5 of 5 duels and 12 of 13 aerial duels while making three interceptions and five clearances as RGVFC earned a 0-0 draw on the road against Monterey Bay F.C.
D – Adrian Diz Pe, Indy Eleven: The Cuban center back was impressive on the ball and defensively in his side’s 1-1 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, completing 93 of 112 passes and making 18 recoveries while winning 5 of 7 duels and 4 of 5 aerial duels.
D – Duke Lacroix, Colorado…