TAMPA, Fla. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC forward Kevaughn Frater was voted the United Soccer League player of the week Tuesday.
Frater scored both goals for the Switchbacks, including a dramatic game-winner in the 90th minute, to lead the side to a 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy II Saturday night and move up to third in the Western Conference.
Frater received 45 percent of the vote conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Reno 1868 FC’s Dane Kelly finished second with 27 percent of the vote.
USL team of the week
GK – Greg Ranjitsingh, Louisville City FC: Ranjitsingh recorded back-to-back shutouts as Louisville earned victories against the Charlotte Independence at home and New York Red Bulls II on the road.
D – Onua Obasi, Ottawa Fury FC: Obasi had a dynamic two-way performance, leading Ottawa with 57 passes and three tackles and three interceptions in a 1-0 win against the Harrisburg City Islanders.
D – Kyle Hyland, OKC Energy FC: Hyland’s standout second-half goal put Energy FC ahead for good in a 3-2 midweek win against Phoenix Rising FC, and he was also solid in a 0-0 draw against San Antonio FC.
D – Amadou Dia, Phoenix Rising FC: Dia had a strong debut for Rising FC, providing the assist on the opening goal by Didier Drogba and performing well up and down the left flank.
M – Richard Ballard, Louisville City FC: Ballard scored his first two league goals, including the game-winner against the Charlotte Independence, as Louisville won twice over the week.
M – Justin Portillo, Charleston Battery: Portillo scored the only goal, and was a strong presence in central midfield as the Battery defeated the Richmond Kickers 1-0 in the 60th all-time meeting between the clubs.
M – Sebastian Velasquez, Real Monarchs SLC: Velasquez recorded the assist on both goals as the Monarchs claimed their USL record-tying eighth consecutive victory with a 2-0 win against the Portland Timbers 2.
M – Antoine Hoppenot, Reno 1868 FC: Hoppenot recorded the game-winner against Sacramento Republic FC after having notched an assist in 1868 FC’s win against Rio Grande Valley FC earlier in the week.
F – Wojciech Wojcik, OKC Energy FC: Wojcik scored twice, including the game-winner, as Energy FC defeated Phoenix Rising FC 3-2 in the USL Game of the Week last Tuesday night.
F – Dane Kelly, Reno 1868 FC: Kelly extended his goal-scoring streak to six games with goals against both Rio Grande Valley FC and Sacramento Republic FC as 1868 FC took a pair of wins.
F – Kevaughn Frater, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Frater recorded two goals, including a 90th-minute game-winner, to lift the Switchbacks past the LA Galaxy II.
Bench: Angelo Cavalluzzo (TOR), Justin Hoyte (CIN), Kyle Smith (LOU), Jorginho James (RGV), Seku Conneh (BST), Mark Anthony Gonzalez (SPR), Didier Drogba (PHX)
