ST. PETERSBURG, Fla (April 2) – The USL Championship revealed the Team of the Week for Week 4 of the regular season today, with Tampa Bay Rowdies defender Jordan Doherty earning a spot for his contributions in the club’s 4-1 win versus Rhode Island FC over the weekend.
Rowdies captain Aaron Guillen also earned a spot on the Team of the Week bench for his shift in Tampa Bay’s first win of the campaign. Guillen won all five of his attempted tackles against Rhode Island, while also winning 8 of 8 ground duels and 2 of 2 aerial duels in the match.
Doherty notched the third goal of the night for the Rowdies, nodding a header just under the crossbar from the center of the box off of a well-placed free kick from teammate Joshua Pérez in the 72nd minute. The tally is Doherty’s fourth career goal for the Rowdies. In addition to his goal, Doherty made a critical goal line clearance in the 52nd minute to prevent the visitors from doubling their lead. He also won five of five defensive duels overall during his 90-minute shift.
Last year, Doherty became the youngest player to reach 100 appearances for the Rowdies. The 23-year-old Irishman has now appeared in 108 matches over his five seasons with the club.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 4
GK – Nate Steinwascher, Detroit City FC: The local standout made three saves – including a pair of key stops early in the second half – to keep Detroit in the game against Indy Eleven before the side rallied for a 2-1 victory.
D – Shawn Smart, Las Vegas Lights FC: The 20-year-old won 3 of 4 tackles and 11 of 19 duels while making 10 recoveries, four clearances and two interceptions in Las Vegas’ 3-0 victory on the road against Oakland Roots SC.
D – Mitchell Taintor, San Antonio FC: The veteran center back recorded the assist on San Antonio’s late game-winner against Monterey Bay F.C. and won 2 of 2 tackles and 6 of 6 duels while completing 42 of 53 passes at Toyota Field.
D – Jordan Doherty, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Irish defender scored his first goal for Tampa Bay since 2020 with a powerful header in the side’s 4-1 victory against Rhode Island FC, made one goal line clearance, and won 5 of 5 duels overall.
M – Ray Serrano, Louisville City FC: The 21-year-old earned his second consecutive selection after recording a goal and assist in LouCity’s 5-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC while recording three shots, three chances created and completing 24 of 30 passes overall.
M – Valentin Noël, Las Vegas Lights FC: The French midfielder had a goal and assist and notched three chances created in Las Vegas’ 3-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC while also completing 20 of 28 passes and recording three clearances and four recoveries.
M – Taylor Davila, Louisville City FC: The LouCity newcomer recorded his first goal for the club and provided the assist on the side’s opening goal against Birmingham Legion FC while recording three chances created and completing 55 of 59 passes overall.
M – Maxi Rodriguez, Detroit City FC: The Le Rouge mainstay had the late game-winner against Indy Eleven after earlier recording an assist in his side’s 2-1 win against Indy Eleven and completed 25 of 31 passes overall.
F – Gaoussou Samake, Las Vegas Lights FC: The native of Ivory Coast had one goal and one assist while recording four chances created and completing 11 of 14 passes overall in the Lights’ 3-0 victory on the road in Oakland.
F – Wilson Harris, Louisville City FC: The 24-year-old scored a pair of goals, had three shots on target overall and notched two chances created while also winning 2 of 2 aerial duels as Louisville ran out to a 5-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC.
F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: The 24-year-old scored in his third consecutive game and had four shots on target on six shots while completing 25 of 29 passes and recording three chances created in Charleston’s 2-1 victory against Miami FC.
Coach: Danny Cruz, Louisville City FC: Cruz’s side posted its first five-goal performance since the 2022 season as it defeated Birmingham Legion FC as the side recorded 18 shots in its victory at Lynn Family Stadium.
Bench: Rocco Ríos Novo (PHX), Aaron Guillen (TBR), Arturo Astorga (NM), Rodrigo Lopez (SAC), Ali Coote (DET), Louis Perez (NC), Jorge Hernandez (SA)
