ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Tampa Bay Rowdies center back Laurence Wyke has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for his performance in the club’s 3-1 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Al Lang Stadium in Week 11 of the season. Rowdies attacking midfielder Leo Fernandes earned a spot on the Team of the Week Bench after recording the game-winning goal against Pittsburgh.
This is Wyke’s first Team of the Week selection in 2022. While Wyke is listed as a midfielder on Tampa Bay’s roster, he has primarily been utilized on the back line this season. Against Pittsburgh, Wyke played on the right side of Tampa Bay’s three-man defensive line and helped create the chance that led to Jake LaCava’s opening goal and the outright assist on Lucky Mkosana’s stoppage time goal to seal the result. He also kept things tide in the back with eight clearances and by winning four of his six duels.
Now in his second season in Tampa Bay, Wyke has proven to be a valuable asset for the Rowdies, plugging in at all three spots on the back line at various points and offering a steady influence in the midfield. The win over Pittsburgh was Wyke’s 44th overall appearance for the Green & Gold.
Wyke is the fourth Rowdies player to take home Team of the Week honors in 2022. Forward Juan Tejada, keeper CJ Cochran, and midfielder Lewis Hilton all previous earned the league-wide recognition.
The Rowdies return to the field on Wednesday, June 1 on the road against FC Tulsa at 8:30pm ET. Following that they return to Al Lang Stadium to host Louisville City FC on Saturday, June 4 in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference final. Tickets for the match can be purchased here or by calling the Rowdies ticket office at 727-222-2000.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 11
GK – Dallas Jaye, Monterey Bay F.C.: Jaye recorded a four-save shutout as Monterey Bay took a 2-0 victory against Louisville City FC on Saturday night, posting a -1.09 Goals minus Expected Goals mark for the contest at Lynn Family Stadium.
D – Patrick Seagrist, Memphis 901 FC: Seagrist recorded a pair of assists in Memphis’ 5-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II last Wednesday night and over two outings completed 41 of 49 passes and notched four chances created.
D – Jonathan Ricketts, Rio Grande Valley FC: Ricketts put in a solid defensive display for the Toros in a 2-1 win against San Diego Loyal SC, winning 3 of 3 tackles and 8 of 12 duels while making 10 recoveries and three interceptions at H-E-B Park.
D – Laurence Wyke, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Wyke recorded one assist and three chances created in Tampa Bay’s 3-1 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC while recording eight clearances and winning 4 of 6 duels at Al Lang Stadium.
M – Othello Bah, Miami FC: The Liberian international recorded a pair of goals to help lead Miami to a 4-0 victory against the Charleston Battery while also completing 33 of 37 passes and winning 7 of 13 duels for the visitors at Patriots Point.
M – Emilio Ycaza, Rio Grande Valley FC: Ycaza scored both goals as Rio Grande Valley rallied late to take a 2-1 victory against San Diego Loyal SC at H-E-B Park while also completing 36 of 41 passes and recording three shots and one chance created.
M – Jeremy Kelly, Memphis 901 FC: Kelly recorded a goal and assist in each of Memphis’ outings as 901 FC took victories against the LA Galaxy II and Loudoun United FC, moving to a league-leading six assists so far this season as Memphis moved into first place in the Eastern Conference.
M – Florian Valot, Miami FC: Valot broke through with a goal and assist in Miami’s 4-0 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday night after having recorded five chances created against Detroit City FC in the side’s opening game of the week last Wednesday.
F – Antoine Hoppenot, Detroit City FC: Hoppenot notched two goals and one assist across a pair of outings as Le Rouge took four points from contests against Miami FC and Atlanta United 2 while also recording six chances created over the two contests.
F – Adonijah Reid, Miami FC: The Canadian forward scored an equalizer late in stoppage time to earn Miami a 1-1 draw against Detroit City FC on Wednesday night before notching a pair of assists in the side’s victory against Charleston on Saturday.
F – Phillip Goodrum, Memphis 901 FC: Goodrum recorded two goals and two assists across 901 FC’s victories against the LA Galaxy II and Loudoun United FC, taking the club-lead with five goals this season as Memphis moved top of the Eastern Conference.
Bench: John Berner (MEM), Jonny Dean (BHM), Wahab Ackwei (RGV), Leo Fernandes (TBR), Mobi Fehr (MB), Laurent Kissiedou (MEM), Luis Solignac (ELP)