TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 13 of the 2011 season today, honoring Orlando City goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo as Player of the Week after he recorded a pair of shutouts that included an eight-save performance in the Lions’ 1-0 victory over the Rochester Rhinos on Sunday night.
After fellow Team of the Week member Jamie Watson gave the Lions the lead, Gallardo made crucial saves on Kendall Jagdeosingh and Tony Donatelli in the clash between the two division leaders in USL PRO. Gallardo also recorded a shutout as the Lions drew 0-0 with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Friday night.
Blues goalkeeper Oscar Dautt and his teammate Israel Sesay both received honorable mention for their performances in Week 13, Dautt saving the day for Los Angeles on Friday when his point-blank reflex denied Charleston’s Dane Kelly the game-winner in stoppage time.
The Harrisburg City Islanders led all USL PRO sides with three players named to the Team of the Week following their 4-0 victory over the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, with Andrew Welker and Sainey Touray earning back-to-back selections after scoring two goals apiece. Geoff Bloes was also named as the City Islanders’ defense recorded a shutout despite the absence of Dustin Bixler, lost for the season with a torn ACL.
Wilmington’s Chris Banks was also selected to the team after scoring a goal and adding two assists as the Hammerheads earned a 4-2 win over the Blues, while Jhonny Arteaga’s two-goal performance against Antigua Barraduda FC in the USL PRO Game of the Week on FOX Soccer Channel earned his selection to the team.
Los Angeles hopes to be well represented in the Team of the Week for Week 15, as it takes on the Dayton Dutch Lions in back-to-back home games, the first at Fullerton’s Titan Stadium on Friday, July 15. The meeting, which kicks off at 8 p.m. PST, will be broadcast nationally on Fox Soccer Channel. Everyone in attendance will receive a ticket voucher for the July 23 game between MLS sides Chivas USA and Houston Dynamo at the Home Depot Center in Carson.
