Keita, Delicate named Players of the WeekTAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues announced the Team of the Week honors for the 12th week of the USL season, honoring Portland’s Mandjou Keita as the USL First Division Player of the Week and Richmond’s Matthew Delicate as the USL Second Division Player of the Week.
The Portland Timbers extended their franchise-record unbeaten streak to 12 games Sunday with a dominating 4-0 victory over the Montreal Impact at PGE Park powered, in part, by the two-goal performance from striker Mandjou Keita, earning Player of the Week honors for the second time.
The former Guinean U23 National Team captain set the tone early with a header off a David Hayes free kick nine minutes into the contest that held as the lone strike through the remainder of the half.
Then two minutes into the second stanza, Keita finished some nice combination play on the right flank with a drive into the box and a shot that deflected past Matt Jordan.
Keita nearly completed a hat-trick in the 64th to make it 4-0, but the ball was intercepted at the last second by Simon Gatti, who under pressure passed it back to Jordan not knowing the keeper was also coming out on the play, and sending it into the back of the net for an own goal.
His four-point night is the difference between second and third in the league points table as he only trails Puerto Rico’s Cristian Arrieta, who has numerous penalties among his 15-point total.
The Richmond Kickers moved to 5-2-5 on the year with a 2-1 victory on the road over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Saturday evening with Matthew Delicate providing both tallies on the night, remaining in a tie for second in the league table with Wilmington.
The Kickers connected early when they capitalized on a defensive miscommunication in the 6th minute. Midfielder Adrian Bumbut delivered a cross from the right side, catching the defense and goalkeeper Danny Waltman off guard. As Waltman fumbled the ball, Delicâte snuck in and buried it from close range.
Before the close of the first half, the Kickers reclaimed the advantage when Delicâte unleashed the eventual game-winner. Midfielder Mike Burke delivered a corner from the right side, finding Gerson dos Santos in the air. His header lofted across the box to Delicâte, positioned at point-blank range, allowing the Kickers leading scorer to tuck it into the upper 90.
The two goals put Delicate in a tie for the league lead in tallies with seven on the year, and one point back of Wilmington’s Jamie Watson in points.
USL First Division Team of the Week
Dusty Hudock, G, Charleston
Four saves in 1-0 win over Puerto Rico
Nevio Pizzolitto, D, Montreal
Goal in 1-0 win over Miami
Frankie Sanfilippo, D, Charleston
Led team in 1-0 win over Puerto Rico
Cristian Arrieta, D, Puerto Rico
Led team in 2-1 win at Carolina
Jeff Harwell, M. Austin
Goal in 2-2 draw at Cleveland
Martin Nash, M, Vancouver
Goal, assist in 2-2 draw at Cleveland
Mike Ambersley, M, Rochester
Goal in 2-1 win at Minnesota
Jonathan Steele, M, Puerto Rico
Goal in 2-1 win at Carolina
George Josten, F, Portland
Two assists in 4-0 win over Montreal
Israel Sesay, F, Cleveland
Two assists in 2-2 draw against Austin
Mandjou Keita, F, Portland
Two goals in 4-0 win over Montreal
USL Second Division Team of the Week
Steward Ceus, G, Charlotte
Four saves in 0-0 draw against Harrisburg
Tim Karalexis, D, Wilmington
Goal in 3-2 win over Harrisburg
Luke Williams, D, Charlotte
Led team in 0-0 draw against Harrisburg
Geoff Bloes,D,Harrisburg
Led team in 0-0 draw at Charlotte
Yomby William, D, Richmond
Led team in 2-1 win at Pittsburgh
Omar Shakir,D, Bermuda
Goal in 2-2 draw against Western Mass
Kenny Bundy,M, Wilmington
Goal, assist in 3-2 win over Harrisburg
Jason Kutney,M, Pittsburgh
Assist in 2-1 loss to Richmond
Chris Murray,M, Wilmington
Assist in 3-2 win over Harrisburg
Matthew Delicate,F, Richmond
Two goals in 2-1 win at Pittsburgh
Almir Barbosa, F, Western Mass
Goal in 2-2 draw at Bermuda
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