TAMPA, Fla. – Birmingham Legion FC midfielder Bruno Lapa had been voted the USL Championship’s Player of the Week for Week 4 of the season.

A former standout at Wake Forest University and for USL League Two side NC Fusion U23, Lapa marked his first two appearances in the professional ranks with three goals and one assist, including two goals and one assist on his debut in a 3-0 victory for Legion FC against rival Memphis 901 FC Wednesday night.

Lapa earned 71 percent of the ballot for performances. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s Kenardo Forbes finished second on 18 percent after recording three assists in the Hounds’ 6-0 demolition of the Philadelphia Union II on Saturday night.

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.

The team of the week:

GK – Parfait Mandanda, Hartford Athletic: Mandanda recorded a three-save shutout and provided the assist on the lone goal of the game as Hartford Athletic took victory on the road against the New York Red Bulls II.

D – Jesus Vazquez, LA Galaxy II: Vazquez scored the game-winning goal for Los Dos, and put in a solid display defensively as the visitors handed San Diego Loyal SC its first loss of its inaugural season at Torero Stadium.

D – Phanuel Kavita, Saint Louis FC: Kavita put in a strong display at the back with nine clearances and nine recoveries while winning 7 of 10 duels, and he also completed 32 of 38 passes in STLFC’s shutout win against Louisville City FC.

D – Andrew Fox, El Paso Locomotive FC: Fox scored once, completed 47 of 54 passes, recorded three chances created and recorded two tackles and five recoveries in his side’s 2-2 draw with New Mexico United.

M – Taiberson, Rio Grande Valley FC: The Brazilian scored a late equalizer against San Antonio FC after a performance that saw him register three shots, two chances created and win 11 of 13 duels while completing 36 of 43 passes overall.

M – Daniel Griffin, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Griffin recorded one goal and two assists in his first professional start, recording three key passes and completing 23 of 28 passes overall against the Philadelphia Union II.

M – Bruno Lapa, Birmingham Legion FC: Lapa recorded three goals and one assist in his first two professional appearances, leading Legion FC to victories against Memphis 901 FC and the Charleston Battery.

M – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Forbes recorded the 18th instance of a three-assist game in the Championship’s history, and completed 66 of 80 passes, won 9 of 14 duels and made 10 recoveries as he led the Hounds against the Philadelphia Union II.

F – Jaime Chavez, OKC Energy FC: Chavez recorded two goals and one assist as Energy FC picked up four points on the week, including a goal and assist on his 33rd birthday in a 3-1 road win against Austin Bold FC.

F – Alec Diaz, Tacoma Defiance: Diaz scored two goals in two games and completed 25 of 28 passes over the two contests to help the Defiance take four points against Sacramento Republic FC and the Portland Timbers 2.

F – Dariusz Formella, Sacramento Republic FC: Formella scored twice on four shots, recorded three chances created and completed 26 of 32 passes overall in Sacramento’s 3-3 draw with Tacoma Defiance.

Bench: Kyle Morton (STL), Abdul Rwatubyaye (COS), Daniel Robles (TAC), Leo Fernandes (TBR), Chris Wehan (NM), Brian Wright (BHM), Tyler Pasher (IND)

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.