Aaron Long Named to USL Team of the Week

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TAMPA, Fla. – New York Red Bulls II defender Aaron Long has been named to the USL Team of the Week for the second consecutive week. The defender played the full 90 minutes and helped keep a clean sheet for NYRB II against Bethlehem Steel FC. Long has played 20 games and scored two goals this season.


Charlotte Independence midfielder Enzo Martinez has been voted the USL Player of the Week for the 24th week of the 2016 season after leading his side to a crucial victory against FC Cincinnati last Wednesday. Martinez scored a pair of goals to lead the Independence to a 3-2 victory at Ramblewood Stadium, boosting Charlotte’s chances at a top-four finish in the USL Eastern Conference.


Martinez received 50 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Mike Seth of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Ayrton of the Swope Park Rangers finished tied for second with 21 percent each.


USL Team of the Week

GK – Tomas Gomez, Rochester Rhinos: Gomez recorded four saves to keep the Rhinos in the game, and helped them earn a 2-1 victory on the road in Charleston.


D – Tony Alfaro, Seattle Sounders FC 2: Alfaro played the full game in both of S2’s victories in Week 24, and provided the assist on Jordan Schweitzer’s game-winning goal against Portland.


D – Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls II: Named for a second consecutive week, Long was again impressive, and earned a penalty kick, in New York’s 2-0 win at Bethlehem Steel FC.

D – Elliott Hord, Sacramento Republic FC: Hord notched the assist on Republic FC’s game-winning goal in his first start for the club since joining from the PDL’s Fresno Fuego.


M – Aodhan Quinn, Louisville City FC: Quinn scored the winning goal and led a strong midfield display as City took a 1-0 win on the road in Montreal.


M – T.J. Casner, Rio Grande Valley FC: Casner scored the second goal as the Toros took a 2-0 victory on the road against Swope Park to extend their undefeated streak to 10 games.


M – Ayrton, Swope Park Rangers: Ayrton scored both goals, including a stoppage-time winner, as SPR defeated San Antonio FC 2-1 last Wednesday night.


M – Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence: Martinez scored twice as the Independence took a big 3-2 win against FC Cincinnati last Wednesday to clinch a place in the 2016 USL Playoffs.


F – Darwin Jones, Seattle Sounders FC 2: Jones scored with almost the final kick of the game as S2 took a vital 2-1 victory against Vancouver on Friday night.


F – Mike Seth, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Seth scored the opening two goals as the Switchbacks defeated the LA Galaxy II 3-0 on Saturday night.


F – Villyan Bijev, Portland Timbers 2: Bijev scored twice to lead T2 to an impressive 4-0 victory against OKC Energy FC on Sunday night.


Bench: Callum Irving (RGV), Carlos Alvarez (SA), Irvin Parra (SEA), Gaoussou Bakayoko (ROC), Chevaughn Walsh (PGH), Luke Vercollone (COS), Ricardo Velazco (SLC)