May 2, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One today announced the Team of the Week for Week 7 of the 2023 regular season with Union Omaha forward Noe Meza named Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording his second professional brace in Omaha’s victory over Northern Colorado.
In the side’s return to Werner Park, Omaha was gifted an early advantage in the 15th minute as Hailstorm midfielder Stefan Lukic was shown his second yellow card in the span of seven minutes. After a long-range Junior Palacios racket off a free kick to open the scoring, Meza took over. In the third minute of stoppage time, Meza chested a ball down before unleashing a perfect bicycle kick at a tight angle.
“I saw the ball go to Pedro Dolabella’s head and I knew he was going to win it,” Meza said. “Getting in front of the defender and gathering it off my chest was a skill I’ve done in training before. I hadn’t done it in a game before and it was an amazing feeling once I saw the ball in the back of the net.”
“Noe does what Noe does,” Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato said. “When he gets in and around the box, there’s nobody better. I’m really pleased with him for that finish.”
Securing the match-winning score and his second professional brace, Meza finished a well-timed Luis Gil pass at the near post in the 56th minute to eventually confirm the Omaha victory.
“I’m grateful to be named Player of the Week,” Meza said. “It was great to get the win at home this past weekend. I’m thankful for all the support from family, friends and fans, and I’m motivated to keep working hard and helping my team succeed in any way I can.”
“I’m really pleased that Noe picked up Player of the Week honors after his two goals at the weekend against Northern Colorado,” Casciato added. “It’s an award well deserved. The best thing about Noe is he will be thinking about the two opportunities he missed in the game, not the ones that he scored, and work even harder in training so that when he’s in those situations next time he will capitalize on all of them.”
Knoxville, Madison and North Carolina see a joint-high two players recognized as Team of the Week starters following position results, while Chattanooga, Madison, Omaha and Richmond split players between the Team of the Week and Team of the Week Bench.
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