ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 23 of the regular season on Tuesday, with the Tampa Bay Rowdies Charlie Dennis and Jake LaCava making the cut on the back of the shifts in the club’s 4-1 win over Monterey Bay FC.
This is Dennis’ seventh Team of the Week selection so far this season. The first-year Rowdies midfielder opened the scoring for the Rowdies against Monterey Bay at Al Lang Stadium, converting from the penalty spot with an assured strike for his eighth tally of the year. Dennis also had four chances overall while completing 39 of his 43 pass attempts versus Monterey Bay.
LaCava earns Team of the Week honors for the second time this year since returning to Tampa Bay via loan from Inter Miami CF. The 22-year-old attacker recorded the winning goal against Monterey Bay, powering a pass from Jordan Doherty into the back of the net from the center of the box. LaCava also offered the assist on Tampa Bay’s final goal of the night, slipping a pass back for Ariel Martinez to redirect onto frame. In 10 appearances for the Rowdies this year, LaCava has notched three goals and two assists.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 23
GK – Dane Jacomen, Loudoun United FC: Jacomen recorded a five-save shutout, including a key second-half penalty kick save to keep his side ahead, in United’s 3-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday night.
D – Dani Rovira, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Rovira notched one assist in the Hounds’ 2-0 victory against Hartford Athletic and won 6 of 8 duels while completing 40 of 45 passes overall in another solid display.
D – Fabien Garcia, San Antonio FC: Garcia was dominant on the back line for San Antonio, recording eight clearances and 12 recoveries in his side’s 3-0 win against New Mexico United on Saturday, while also winning 2 of 3 aerial duels.
D – Adrian Diz Pe, Indy Eleven: The Cuban center back scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Miami FC on Saturday night while also contributing to a pair of shutouts over the week, recording 14 clearances and completing 66 of 81 passes.
M – Rida Zouhir, San Antonio FC: The 19-year-old scored a pair of standout goals to lead SAFC to a 3-0 victory against New Mexico United while recording four shots and two chances created and completing 20 of 26 passes.
M – Charlie Dennis, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Dennis scored the opening goal for the Rowdies in their comeback victory against Monterey Bay F.C. and had four chances created while completing 39 of 43 passes overall and 6 of 7 long passes.
M – Solomon Asante, Indy Eleven: The two-time MVP recorded the third three-assist game of his career – the first player in league history to do so – as Indy took a 4-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC while completing 24 of 29 passes and winning 3 of 4 duels.
M – Juan David Cabezas, Rio Grande Valley FC: The veteran midfielder scored the Toros’ first goal in a 2-2 draw on the road against Louisville City FC and made 11 recoveries defensively while winning 4 of 6 duels and 6 of 7 aerial duels.
F – Danny Trejo, Phoenix Rising FC: Trejo became the first player in Rising FC history to record two goals and two assists in a USL Championship game as he led his side to a 5-0 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC, recording four shots while also winning 5 of 5 duels.
F – Sebastian Guenzatti, Indy Eleven: The veteran forward scored a pair of goals in his side’s 4-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday night while completing 21 of 22 passes overall and winning 4 of 7 duels and 2 of 3 tackles.
F – Jake LaCava, Tampa Bay Rowdies: LaCava recorded a goal and assist in Tampa Bay’s 4-1 victory against Monterey Bay F.C. on Saturday night as he notched two shots, two chances created and completed 24 of 25 passes.
Bench: Drew Romig (MEM), Arturo Ordonez (PIT), Younes Boudadi (IND), Manny Perez (LOU), Milo Yosef (TUL), Blake Bodily (SD), Rodrigo Da Costa (MEM)
