TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues has announced the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 14 of the 2011 season, honoring Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale as Player of the Week after he made six saves, including a pair of crucial ones late, to help his side take a 1-0 victory against Antigua Barracuda FC and maintain its second position in USL PRO’s American Division.
Los Angeles striker Cesar Rivera was named to the USL PRO Team of the Week for his three goals in two games against the Dayton Dutch Lions over the weekend, as his side recorded a 1-1 tie and a 4-1 win. Rivera’s teammates Israel Sesay and Nelson Akwari each received honorable mention.
Pascale, who earlier in the week had already put in a big performance in the Kickers’ U.S. Open Cup victory against Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City, was put under considerable pressure by Antigua in the second half. The Richmond netminder recorded four saves after the break, including denying both Karanja Mack and Randolph Burton in the final ten minutes to preserve victory.
Rivera leads the Team of the Week selections after his strong performances against Dayton put the Blues solidly in a playoff spot in the National Division. He is joined in the attack by Dane Kelly, whose third goal of the season proved to be the game-winner for the Battery against the Wilmington Hammerheads last Thursday, and Andryi Budnyy, who had a pair of assists in the Hammerheads’ 3-1 win against Harrisburg on Saturday night.
Budnyy provided the assist for Luke Mulholland’s game-winning goal against the City Islanders, which earned the English rookie a berth on the team as well. Orlando’s Lewis Neal was also selected after his outstanding free-kick gave the Lions a 2-1 win against Rochester.
Pittsburgh’s Neil Shaffer received his first Team of the Week nod after the rookie’s first professional goal earned the Riverhounds a point and helped them maintain their two-point lead over playoff rival F.C. New York.
