April 25, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 7 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Monterey Bay F.C. forward Christian Volesky 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 goal of the season while winning 2 of 2 tackles, 3 of 3 duels and 4 of 4 aerial duels in 901 FC’s 3-0 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC.
D – Eder Borelli, El Paso Locomotive FC: The Mexican full back put in a big defensive display, winning 16 of 18 duels and six tackles while making 10 recoveries in Locomotive FC’s 2-0 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
D – Collin Smith, Birmingham Legion FC: The young right back had a strong two-way performance in Legion FC’s 2-1 victory against Orange County SC, recording one assist and winning 4 of 5 tackles and 9 of 16 duels.
D – Akeem Ward, Memphis 901 FC: The left back had a solid…