ST. PETERSBURG, FL – On Tuesday, the USL Championship revealed the Team of the Week for Week 14 of the season, with the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Charlie Dennis and Ryan Spaulding both making the cut on the back of two stellar performances in the club’s 3-2 win over New Mexico United.
Dennis has made himself a regular on the Team of the Week during his first season with the Rowdies. With this week’s selection, Dennis has earned five selections to the Team of the Week. The Englishman Saturday’s match versus New Mexico with an assist on Spaulding’s first goal in the first half and followed that up by tallying his sixth goal of the year so far with a low strike into the bottom right corner. Dennis and forward JJ Williams are now tied for most goals on the squad this year.
Spaulding showed he can do more than provide assists on Saturday with a pair of goals himself to ensure the Rowdies came out on top against New Mexico. After the Rowdies intercepted a pass in New Mexico’s half of the field, Spaulding sprinted forward down the left wing and into the box where a through ball from Dennis was waiting to bury. Spaulding then notched the pivotal match-winner in the 70th minute, chipping a centered pass from Laurence Wyke past keeper Alex Tambakis. This is Spaulding’s second Team of the Week selection since joining the Rowdies on loan from New England Revolution at the end of April. Since then, Spaulding has recorded a team-leading four assists.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 14
GK – Drew Romig, Memphis 901 FC: Romig recorded four saves as 901 FC recorded a 3-1 victory against Louisville City FC at Lynn Family Stadium, helping the visitors equal a club record with a fifth consecutive victory in league play.
D – Abdoul Zanne, Loudoun United FC: The 20-year-old put in a stellar two-way display, completing 25 of 31 passes and 2 of 3 dribbles while winning 2 of 2 tackles and 2 of 2 aerial duels and recording 11 recoveries and two blocked shots in Loudoun’s victory against FC Tulsa.
D – Mitchell Taintor, San Antonio FC: The reigning Championship Defender of the Year scored the opening goal in SAFC’s draw with El Paso Locomotive FC and won 2 of 2 tackles and made 10 recoveries defensively at Toyota Field.
D – Morey Doner, Monterey Bay F.C.: The Canadian scored the opening goal in Monterey Bay F.C.’s victory against Las Vegas Lights FC and was impressive defensively, winning 3 of 3 tackles and 4 of 6 duels while making four clearances.
M – Jairo Henriquez, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The El Salvador international recorded one goal, one assist and three chances created while completing 21 of 25 passes overall and putting two of his three shots overall on target as the Switchbacks defeated Orange County SC.
M – Charlie Dennis, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The English midfielder continued his recent impressive run of form with a goal and assist in the Rowdies’ 3-2 win against New Mexico United while registering three chances created and three shots and completing 24 of 30 passes overall.
M – Drew Skundrich, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Skundrich was impressive on the right side, completing 45 of 58 passes and scoring the opening goal in Colorado Springs’ 4-0 victory against Orange County SC while also winning 4 of 4 duels defensively and making three interceptions and nine recoveries.
M – Ryan Spaulding, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Spaulding scored a pair of goals on two shots and recorded one chance created in Tampa Bay’s 3-2 victory against New Mexico United while also completing 13 of 18 passes and making two interceptions defensively.
F – Kyle Murphy, Miami FC: Murphy recorded one goal and two assists, contributing directly to all three of Miami’s goals in a 3-3 draw against Rio Grande Valley FC on one shot and two chances created while recording only 18 touches overall.
F – Zach Ryan, Loudoun United FC: Ryan scored twice and played a key role in Loudoun’s other goal in a 3-1 victory against FC Tulsa while recording five shots on target and completing 16 of 21 passes as United won its first game since April.
F – Romario Williams, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Jamaican international recorded one goal and two assists as the Switchbacks swept to a 4-0 victory against Orange County SC and had two shots and two chances overall.
Bench – Danny Vitiello (SAC), Nathan Dossantos (PIT), Maxi Rodriguez (DET), Jack Blake (IND), Kalil ElMedkhar (LDN), Sam Gleadle (MB), Phillip Goodrum (TUL)
