Mamadou Dieng and Emmanuel Samadia Named to USL Championship Team of the Week

August 27, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release

Mamadou Dieng and Emmanuel Samadia continue their excellent run of form for Hartford Athletic, earning USL Championship Team of the Week honors for the second week in a row. A unique feat for Samadia, he makes this week’s team at left back after earning the selection at right back a week ago. Dieng was on the bench last week, and this appearance marks his first as a starter. The double selection for Week 25 brings Hartford’s total up to 17 on the year.

Dieng and Samadia put their footprints all over Hartford’s 2-1 victory over Louisville City on Saturday night. Dieng’s brace led the way, while Samadia supported with three chances created and the assist on his teammate’s first goal. The pair connected to bring Hartford level early in the second half when Samadia pinpointed a low cross to Dieng inside the six yard box, and the young striker slotted it to the bottom right corner of the net. An impressive precision pass from Samadia, the ball spun between two Louisville defenders in close quarters on its way to Dieng. The two players from the west coast of Africa have played well together through Hartford’s recent stretch, as all three of Samadia’s assists have been to Dieng.

The game-winning goal came in the 83rd minute after Beverly Makangila, Marcus Epps, and Kyle Edwards all contributed a touch in the buildup to get the ball to the 20 year old in a scoring position. Dieng took one touch with his back toward goal after the final pass from Edwards, then turned and powered his shot to the roof of the net to give his team the lead. The Senegalese striker has shown clinical ability to find space and operate in tight spaces, scoring again with bodies around him inside the six yard box. Dieng has scored six goals on the year, and all of them have come across an efficient eight-game stretch.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 25 GK – Koke Vegas, Rhode Island FC: The Spanish shot-stopper posted a five-save shutout in RIFC’s scoreless draw against Loudoun United FC that included a stoppage-time penalty kick save to preserve a point on the road for the visitors at Segra Field.

D – Emmanuel Samadia, Hartford Athletic: The Sierra Leone native notched one assist and had three chances created while completing 53 of 62 passes overall and defensively won 2 of 2 tackles and 5 of 8 duels while making four interceptions and three recoveries.

D – Alexis Souahy, FC Tulsa: The Comoros…