The United Soccer League on Tuesday awarded Brian Ownby a spot on its Team of the Week after the Louisville City FC midfielder jump-started a comeback against the Eastern Conference-leading Charleston Battery.
The USL also placed left back Oscar Jimenez on the Team of the Week Bench for his contributions to last Saturday’s 4-4 draw in Charleston, namely a stoppage time goal in the first half that opened scoring for LouCity.
Ownby, inserted as a substitute in the second half, made a massive impact with his side two goals down. He went on a run near the box, stepped over the ball and fired a left-footed shot past the Battery’s goalkeeper that’s also up for USL Goal of the Week.
“Obviously, fantastic and great finish,” coach James O’Connor said of the goal. “We were joking with him — I think he’s mistaken. He keeps telling us he’s right footed. I think he’s left.”
O’Connor referred to Ownby as a Major League Soccer-caliber player. The veteran midfielder, a graduate of the University of Virginia, also won Goal of the Week after LouCity’s 1-1 draw April 22 at FC Cincinnati. He shot from outside the box there, hammering a left-footed rocket off the post and in.
Three minutes after Ownby’s goal in Charleston, LouCity equalized on an own goal when winger Richard Ballard fired a well-placed cross into the box. It completed the club’s comeback from deficits of 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2, earning LouCity a point on the road.
This marks Ownby’s second Team of the Week nod in 2017.
LouCity, fourth in the Eastern Conference standings but with games in hand on the teams ahead, faces a short turnaround to its next fixture. The club hosts the Charlotte Independence at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Louisville Slugger Field, marking the first LouCity home game since April.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Connor Sparrow, Real Monarchs SLC: Sparrow recorded a six-save shutout, including a penalty save, as the Monarchs defeated Orange County SC 1-0 for their seventh straight win.
D – Dennis Castillo, Charlotte Independence: Castillo scored both goals for the Independence, and also completed 80 percent of his passes, in a 2-2 draw against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
D – Erick Cabalceta, Saint Louis FC: Cabalceta helped Saint Louis record its first home shutout this season with 10 clearances, four interceptions and three tackles in a 2-0 win against Toronto FC II.
D – Oumar Ballo, Swope Park Rangers: Ballo recorded eight interceptions and three tackles and clearances as the Rangers earned a 0-0 draw against San Antonio FC.
D – Zach Ellis-Hayden, Orlando City B: Ellis-Hayden scored the tying goal, and also recorded three interceptions and two clearances as OCB rallied to defeat the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
M – Brian Ownby, Louisville City FC: Ownby came off the bench to spark Louisville’s comeback in a 4-4 draw with the Charleston Battery, scoring a spectacular finish and providing energy to the attack.
M – Rony Argueta, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Argueta’s stunning strike earned the Switchbacks a 1-0 victory against OKC Energy FC to break a three-game winless streak.
M – Vincent Bezecourt, New York Red Bulls II: Bezecourt notched his league-leading sixth assist of the season to lift the Red Bulls II to a 1-0 victory against the Richmond Kickers.
M – Bradley Kamdem, Rochester Rhinos: Coming on as a first-half substitute, Kamdem’s first professional goal earned the Rhinos a 1-0 win against FC Cincinnati.
F – Romario Williams, Charleston Battery: Williams scored two goals, including an outstanding strike from outside the penalty area, as the Battery played to a 4-4 draw with Louisville City FC.
F – Irvin Parra, Seattle Sounders FC 2: Parra notched two goals and an assist as S2 continued their pursuit of a playoff berth with a convincing 3-0 win against the LA Galaxy II.
Bench: Spencer Richey (VAN), Stephen McCarthy (SA), Oscar Jimenez (LOU), Ray Saari (SEA), Keith Savage (TBR), Seku Conneh (BST), Jose Angulo (STL)