ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Today the USL Championship announced that Tampa Bay Rowdies attacker Jake LaCava was named to the league’s Team of the Week for Week 16 of the season. LaCava notched a goal and an assist, aiding the Rowdies in 4-2 road victory at Loudoun United FC.
LaCava joins teammate Cal Jennings on the Team of the Week. Jennings was voted Player of the Week after scoring two goals and recording an assist in the win.
The 22-year-old helped erase the early hole the Rowdies erase the early deficit they found themselves after conceding the ninth minute of action. LaCava provided the crucial final pass to set up Jake Areman for a finish into the bottom right corner in the 31st minute. LaCava then closed out the scoring for the evening himself in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time, calming slotting home a pass from Jennings.
It was an all-around strong performance for the LaCava in Loudoun as he won 3 of 3 tackles and six of nine duels, showcasing the tenacity and energy that the Rowdies ask off all their players on the front line of the attack.
In three appearances since joining the Rowdies on loan from Major League’ Soccer’s Inter Miami CF, LaCava has now already bagged two goals and an assist. He has picked up right from where he left off in 2022, when he posted 12 goals and four assists for the Rowdies while on loan from New York Red Bulls.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 16
GK – Antony Siaha, Monterey Bay F.C.: Siaha earned his second consecutive selection after recording a four-save shutout including a crucial penalty kick save that saw MBFC score on the ensuing counterattack for a 1-0 victory against Miami FC, the side’s fourth consecutive win.
D – Illal Osumanu, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Osumanu’s first goal in the USL Championship provided the Hounds with a stoppage-time winner against San Diego Loyal SC on Saturday and capped a performance in which he completed 31 of 36 passes, won 4 of 5 duels overall, and made five clearances and nine recoveries.
D – Alex Crognale, Birmingham Legion FC: The veteran center back won 6 of 6 duels and 3 of 3 aerial duels in Legion FC’s 2-0 victory against Loudoun United FC on Wednesday night while recording three blocked shots, six clearances, two interceptions and nine recoveries in a stellar defensive display.
D – Jelani Peters, Memphis 901 FC: The Trinidad and Tobago international recorded a goal in his side’s 4-0 victory against FC Tulsa and across two victories in the week won 14 of 18 duels and 6 of 7 aerial duels, blocked four shots and made seven clearances.
M – Luis Felipe Fernandes, Sacramento Republic FC: The Brazilian provided the exclamation point on Republic FC’s 3-1 victory against San Antonio FC with a brilliant free kick finish while winning 4 of 6 tackles and 5 of 6 aerial duels and making 12 recoveries defensively.
M – Cam Lindley, Indy Eleven: The Indiana native recorded a highlight-reel finish that proved the winner in his side’s 2-0 victory against Hartford Athletic while also completing 52 of 57 passes and winning 2 of 2 tackles and 5 of 8 duels.
M – Jack Gurr, Sacramento Republic FC: The English wingback scored the second goal in Republic FC’s victory against San Antonio FC after winning the penalty kick for the early opening goal for the hosts and notched two shots and two chances created while winning 7 of 9 duels.
M – Amando Moreno, New Mexico United: The El Salvador international recorded a pair of goals across the week, including a spectacular game-winner in United’s 2-1 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, while also winning 12 of 19 duels overall and making 11 recoveries.
F – Cal Jennings, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Jennings recorded two goals and one assist after coming on with 26 minutes to go to rally the Rowdies to a 4-2 victory against Loudoun United FC, and also notched two chances created and won 5 of 9 duels.
F – Panos Armenakas, Phoenix Rising FC: The Australian recorded a goal and assist in Phoenix’s 3-1 victory against New Mexico United on Wednesday night and over two games recorded six shots and five chances created while completing 49 of 68 passes.
F – Jake LaCava, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The 22-year-old recorded a goal and assist in strong individual performance as he completed 14 of 18 passes, won 3 of 3 tackles and won 6 of 9 duels in Tampa Bay’s 4-2 victory against Loudoun United FC.
Bench: Yannik Oettl (IND), Camden Riley (SD), Jake Rufe (BHM), Damia Viader (SAC), Taylor Davila (RGV), Milan Iloski (OC), Rashawn Dally (MEM)
