May 28, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 12 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with El Paso Locomotive FC forward Amando Moreno voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording a two-goal performance to lead Locomotive to a 2-1 victory against Eastern Conference leader the Charleston Battery.
An offseason arrival with Locomotive, Moreno scored both goals in the second half including an outstanding finish in stoppage time as El Paso handed the Battery their first defeat of the 2024 campaign and earned new Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera a victory in his first game since taking charge last week. The El Salvador international has now recorded five goals this season to lead El Paso, which is aiming to battle its way back into the postseason picture after winning just once in its prior 11 games of the regular season.
Moreno earned 57 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Hartford Athletic midfielder Thomas Vancaeyezeele finished second on 29 percent after recording his first two-assist game in the USL Championship in Hartford’s 2-1 victory against Monterey Bay F.C. on Friday night at Trinity Health 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 12
GK – Koke Vegas, Rhode Island FC: The Spanish shot-stopper posted a three-save shutout, claimed three crosses and had one punched clearance as RIFC earned a point at home against Louisville City FC.
D – Lucas Stauffer, El Paso Locomotive FC: Stauffer had a strong performance on the right side for Locomotive in its victory against Charleston, winning 4 of 4 tackles and 8 of 11 duels while making 10 recoveries and three interceptions at Patriots Point.
D – Oscar Jimenez, Memphis 901 FC: The Championship veteran scored his first goal for Memphis in the side’s 2-0 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and won one tackle while recording two interceptions and two clearances at AutoZone Park.
D – Abdi Mohamed, New Mexico United: The Somalian international put in a solid defensive display in New Mexico’s victory against San Antonio FC, winning 7 of 8 duels and 2 of 2 tackles while completing 36 of 50 passes at Isotopes Park.
M – Mikey Maldonado, North Carolina FC: The 25-year-old scored a spectacular Olimpico from a corner…