USL News Release
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced the USL First Division and USL Second Division Team of the Week honors Tuesday for Week 12 of the season, honoring Rochester’s Ze Roberto and Charlotte’s Jorge Herrera as the Players of the Week, respectively.
Long time league power Rochester has found itself in the unusual position of last place in what is arguably the most competitive season in the history of the league. The Rhinos match against second-place Vancouver Saturday, however, was very emblematic of the 2008 USL-1 season as the Rhinos ignored their standing and dropped the Whitecaps, who were coming off a 1-0 road win against Toronto of MLS, by a 3-1 margin.
Just 34 seconds into the second half midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer won the ball in the box before dropping it off to fellow midfielder Roberto, who hit a one-time shot from just outside the area into the lower left hand corner of the net, erasing their 1-0 halftime deficit.
After Johnny Menyongar made it 2-1, the Rhinos found the coveted third goal to secure the win in the 89th minute after Matthew Delicate pressured the Vancouver keeper as he attempted to handle an errant pass back from his defender. The loose ball was retrieved by Martinez, who sent it back to Roberto, who chipped the ball inside the far post.
For Roberto, the past two weeks have brought to an end a lengthy drought for the long-time Rhino rival from Montreal. His goal in a 3-1 loss the week before was his first in over a year with his last goal in league play having come August 23 of 2006.
In the USL Second Division, the league leading Charlotte Eagles did not suffer a setback at the hands of the charging Wilmington Hammerheads, who came into the battle of North Carolina clubs on a seven-game unbeaten run. The Eagles ended the streak with a pair of Herrera to Swinehart tallies for the 2-0 result.
After a scoreless first stanza, Charlotte kicked up the tempo in the second half, and it paid dividends early as Dustin Swinehart scored just four minutes into the half to take the 1-0 lead. The goal was set up in the midfield. Jorge Herrera sent a ball in over the top for Swinehart. Swinehart controlled the ball nicely with his chest, and looped a volley shot over John O’Hara, who was off his line.
Swinehart added his league-leading 12th goal of the season in the 55th minute of play. This time it was Jorge Herrera who set up the goal. Defender Ben Johnson passed the ball up the right side line for Herrera. Herrera continued down the right side to the endline, turned the corner and served the ball to the back post for Swinehart. Swinehart scored with a header inside the right post for the 2-0 lead.
Having been primarily a set-up man last season, Herrera came into the game with five goals and no assists on the campaign.
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USL First Division Team of the Week
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Pos
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Name
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Team
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Highlights
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G
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Bill Gaudette
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Puerto Rico
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Ten saves in 1-0 win at Montreal
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D
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Ross Smith
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Rochester
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Led team in 3-1 win over Vancouver
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D
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Nelson Akwari
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Charleston
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Assist in 1-0 win over Seattle
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D
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Avery John
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Miami
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Led team in 1-0 win over Puerto Rico
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M
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Scott Buete
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Atlanta
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Led team in 3-2 win over Minnesota
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M
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Ze Roberto
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Rochester
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Two goals in 3-1 win over Vancouver
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M
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Matt Watson
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Carolina
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Led team in 2-2 draw against Seattle
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M
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Kenji Treschuk
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Seattle
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Goal in 2-2 draw at Carolina
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M
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Johnny Menyongar
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Rochester
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Goal in 3-1 win over Vancouver
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F
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Josh Hansen
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Puerto Rico
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Goal in 1-0 win at Montreal
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F
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Macoumba Kandji
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Atlanta
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Two goals in 3-2 win over Minnesota
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USL Second Division Team of the Week
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Pos
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Name
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Team
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Highlights
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G
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Zach Varga
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Pittsburgh
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Six saves in 2-0 win over Western Mass
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D
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Dustin Bixler
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Harrisburg
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Led team in 2-0 win at Real Maryland
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D
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Greg Janicki
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Pittsburgh
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Assist in 2-0 win over Western Mass
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D
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Brady Bryant
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Charlotte
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Led team in 2-0 win over Wilmington
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M
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Brett Weisner
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Harrisburg
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Goal in 2-0 win at Real Maryland
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M
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Dustin Swinehart
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Charlotte
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Two goals in 2-0 win over Wilmington
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M
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Jorge Herrera
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Charlotte
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Two assists in 2-0 win over Wilmington
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M
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Ryan Stewart
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Cleveland
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Goal, assist in 3-1 win over Western Mass
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F
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Adrian Bumbut
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Richmond
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Goal, assist in 3-0 win over Western Mass
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F
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David Bulow
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Richmond
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Three goals, two assists in 7-1 win at Bermuda
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F
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Brian Cvilikas
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Wilmington
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Three goals in 5-1 win over Bermuda
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