After scoring his first goals in a Louisville City FC uniform — and recording his first multi-goal game as a professional — Guy Abend earned a spot Tuesday on the United Soccer League’s Team of the Week.
The LouCity midfielder netted shots in the 11th and 24th minutes of his club’s 4-1 win last week of Toronto FC II at Louisville Slugger Field. Abend also started and logged 66 minutes in a scoreless draw over the weekend against rival FC Cincinnati.
A native of Israel, Abend played previously for one of his home nation’s second-division clubs, Rishon LeZion FC, before signing with LouCity for the team’s inaugural season. He overcame multiple knee injuries to return in 2016 and earn his first USL Player of the Week nod.
The central midfielder had before the FC Toronto II match attempted just one shot all season. He converted while first finishing on a corner and later by striking a cross from teammate George Davis IV.
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).
