TAMPA, Fla. – Real Monarchs SLC goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez has been voted the USL Player of the Week for the 14th week of the 2016 season after leading his side to a 1-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Sunday afternoon. Fernandez recorded an eight-save shutout as the Monarchs took their first win on the road against their Rocky Mountain rival.
Fernandez received 47 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Orange County Blues FC’s Didier Crettenand finished second with 33 percent.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Lalo Fernandez, Real Monarchs SLC: Fernandez recorded an eight-save shutout, including a handful of standout stops, as the Monarchs took a 1-0 win in Colorado Springs.
D – Shawn Ferguson, Charleston Battery: Ferguson led the Battery defense as it held Toronto FC II to only one shot on goal in a 1-0 win on Sunday night.
D – Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers: Didic put in a strong performance to limit Seattle to only two shots on goal as the Rangers took a 2-0 victory on the road on Sunday.
D – Henry Kalungi, Charlotte Independence: Kalungi helped limit Harrisburg’s attack, and also connected passes well out of defense as the Independence took a 3-1 road victory.
M – Mike Garzi, Rochester Rhinos: Garzi scored the game-winning goal as the Rhinos took a 2-1 win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night.
M – Dan Metzger, New York Red Bulls II: Metzger distributed well and helped the Red Bulls II dominate midfield in a 4-0 win against Wilmington Hammerheads FC.
M – Didier Crettenand, Orange County Blues FC: Crettenand had three goals and one assist in two games, including both goals as the Blues edged out Rio Grande Valley FC on Sunday.
M – Guy Abend, Louisville City FC: Abend scored his first two goals of the season as Louisville took a 4-1 win against Toronto FC II last Tuesday.
F – Irvin Herrera, Saint Louis FC: Herrera menaced Portland’s defense regularly, and was rewarded with the only goal in a 1-0 win for Saint Louis on Saturday.
F – Jacques Francois, San Antonio FC: Francois assisted on a pair of goals as San Antonio rallied to take a 3-2 victory against Orange County last Thursday night.
F – Tyler Blackwood, Arizona United SC: Blackwood scored two goals in two games as Arizona took a pair of draws against Rio Grande Valley and Sacramento.
Bench: Samir Badr (BST), Hugh Roberts (RIC), Corben Bone (CIN), Devon Williams (NY), Fatawu Safiu (VAN), Hadji Barry (ORL), Anthony Jackson-Hamel (MTL)
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