TAMPA, Fla. – San Antonio FC goalkeeper Matt Cardone has been voted the USL Player of the Week for the 23rd week of the 2016 season after recording a seven-save shutout in his side’s victory against Saint Louis FC on Saturday night. Cardone put in a standout performance, including a late penalty kick save, as San Antonio took a 2-0 victory on the road to boost its playoff aspirations.
Cardone received 47 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Ruben Luna of Rio Grande Valley FC finished second with 40 percent.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Matt Cardone, San Antonio FC: Cardone’s seven-save shutout paved the way to a victory for SAFC as it maintained eighth place in the Western Conference by defeating Saint Louis.
D – Sergio Campbell, Pittsburgh Riverhounds: Campbell scored the equalizer as the Riverhounds finished off a good week with a 1-1 draw against the Harrisburg City Islanders.
D – Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers: Didic was big at the back, most notably with a goal-line clearance that preserved a 2-1 win against the LA Galaxy II for the Rangers.
D – Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls II: Long went the full 90 minutes in both games as NYRB II took shutout victories against Toronto and Cincinnati.
M – Guy Abend, Louisville City FC: Abend scored the only goal as Louisville edged out Bethlehem Steel FC 1-0 at Slugger Field.
M – Scott Thomsen, Richmond Kickers: Thomsen’s first professional goal led the Kickers to a 1-0 win against Orlando City B, and extended the side’s undefeated streak to nine games.
M – Louis Beland-Goyette, FC Montreal: Beland-Goyette scored the second goal in Montreal’s thrilling 4-3 win against Toronto on Sunday for its fourth successive victory.
M – Ataullah Guerra, Charleston Battery: Guerra was strong in midfield all game, and notched the assist on Maikel Chang’s winner in a 1-0 victory against the Charlotte Independence.
F – Cameron Iwasa, Sacramento Republic FC: Iwasa had the only goal as Republic FC took a big 1-0 victory against Orange County Blues FC last Wednesday night.
F – Ruben Luna, Rio Grande Valley FC: Luna scored both goals as the Toros took a 2-1 win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC to move into second in the West.
F – Corey Hertzog, Pittsburgh Riverhounds: Hertzog scored twice as the Riverhounds took a 4-1 victory against Wilmington Hammerheads FC at Highmark Stadium.
Bench: Spencer Richey (VAN), Christian Duke (SPR), Alex Lee (RIC), Miguel Gonzalez (COS), Ricardo John (TOR), Maikon Orellana (RM), Steevan Dos Santos (ROC)
