August 10, 2021 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 16 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday, with Atlanta United 2 forward Tyler Wolff voted Player of the Week after recording a hat trick and an assist to lead his side to a 6-2 victory against Indy Eleven on Sunday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
The 18-year-old was in the middle of a club record-setting performance for Atlanta, opening the scoring after just 12 seconds for the fastest goal in its history and tying for the fourth-fastest goal in the Championship’s history overall. Wolff went on to bag another goal in the sixth minute before completing his first professional hat trick and adding an assist early in the second half. The victory moved Atlanta above the playoff line into fourth place in the Championship’s Central Division ahead of a key game with fifth-placed OKC Energy FC on Wednesday night, also at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
Wolff earned 90 percent of the ballot to claim the honor. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Andre Lewis was the lone other recipient of votes after he scored his first two goals of the season to lead the Switchbacks to a thrilling 4-2 victory against Hartford Athletic on Saturday night that moved the side up to third place in a tight playoff race in the Mountain Division.
The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
GK – Jermaine Fordah, Loudoun United FC: The English goalkeeper recorded a six-save shutout including five saves on shots from inside the penalty area on Friday night in a 0-0 draw against the Charlotte Independence at Segra Field.
D – Caleb Wiley, Atlanta United 2: The 16-year-old recorded one assist and five key passes while completing 55 of 64 passes overall and winning 4 of 5 duels in Atlanta’s 6-2 victory against Indy Eleven on Sunday night.
D – Carlos Harvey, LA Galaxy II: The Panama international had a goal and four shots overall joining the attack and also won 13 of 18 duels and 6 of 7 aerial duels while recording five interceptions and seven clearances defensively as the Galaxy II defeated Orange County SC 3-2 on Saturday night.
D – Mohamed Traore, Las Vegas Lights FC: The Senegalese 18-year-old scored an 86th-minute equalizer for Lights FC in its 2-2 draw with Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night and won 10 of 14 duels and 4 of 5 aerial duels while also recording five interceptions, five clearances and seven recoveries defensively.
M – Andre Lewis, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Jamaican midfielder scored his first two goals of the season on three shots and also had one key pass and completed 33 of 37 passes overall while winning 7 of 10 duels in the Switchbacks’ 4-2 victory against Hartford Athletic on Saturday.
M – Roberto Molina, Las Vegas Lights FC: Roberto Molina scored a superb individual goal and provided the assist on Lights FC’s late game-tying goal in a 2-2 draw with Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night, and also completed 30 of 40 passes, won 8 of 12 duels and completed 5 of 6 dribbles.
M – Daniel Aguirre, LA Galaxy II: Daniel Aguirre scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute of Los Dos’ 3-2 victory against Orange County SC on Saturday night while also completing 27 of 32 passes and winning 10 of 18 duels and 2 of 2 tackles.
M – Alex Dixon, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Earning his third consecutive selection to the Team of the Week, Alex Dixon recorded his second consecutive two-goal game and had one key pass while completing 21 of 28 passes overall in the Hounds’ 3-2 win against the Charleston Battery on Friday night.
F – Tyler Wolff, Atlanta United 2: 18-year-old Tyler Wolff recorded his first professional hat trick and also notched an assist as Atlanta took a 6-2 victory against Indy Eleven on Sunday, while also notching five shots and four key passes overall.
F – Aidan Daniels, OKC Energy FC: The Canadian U-23 international scored twice late in the first half to send Energy FC on its way to a 4-1 victory against Memphis 901 FC in a key game in the Central Division playoff race while also completing 30 of 37 passes.
F – Nathan Fogaca, San Antonio FC: Brazilian forward Nathan Fogaca scored both goals as San Antonio took a 2-1 victory in the South Texas Derby on Sunday night against Rio Grande Valley FC while also winning 8 of 13 duels and recording three shots and one key pass.
Bench: Logan Ketterer (ELP), Janos Loebe (MIA), Aodhan Quinn (PHX), Brian Ownby (LOU), Nick Ross (ELP), Max Lachowecki (TBR), Sam Adeniran (TAC)
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