A breakout first season with Louisville City FC continued Tuesday for Brian Ownby as the United Soccer League named the midfielder to its Team of the Week for the fourth time in 2017.
Ownby’s Week 15 accolade came after he opened scoring Saturday in a 2-1 win over Ottawa Fury FC at Slugger Field.
“Ownby set the tone for Louisville’s performance, scoring an early goal and creating other chances through his pressure,” the USL noted in its announcement.
Captain Paolo DelPiccolo played a ball over the top of Fury FC’s defense, and Ownby slipped a ball past the keeper at the near post to score the go-ahead goal in the 14th minute. The strike is also up for USL Goal of the Week, awarded via a fan vote.
Ownby previously earned Team of the Week nods on May 23, June 6 and June 20 of this year.
The 26-year-old Virginia native, who played previously for Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, is tied for the LouCity scoring lead with four goals. He’s also the club’s co-leader in assists with three.
Ownby and LouCity return to the pitch at 7 p.m. Saturday for a pivotal game against the Eastern Conference-leading Charleston Battery at MUSC Health Stadium, site of a 4-4 draw between the clubs on June 3. LouCity sits six points back from the Battery in the league standings but holds two games in hand. WMYO-TV and NewsRadio 840 WHAS will broadcast locally.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Josh Cohen, Phoenix Rising FC: Cohen recorded six saves, including a penalty kick denial, as Rising FC earned a 0-0 draw with Reno 1868 FC to earn a point and the team’s first shutout of the season.
D – Tyler Pasher, Swope Park Rangers: Pasher played well in a pair of SPR victories, recording six tackles and three interceptions, and providing the assist on the game-winning goal against the LA Galaxy II.
D – Emrah Klimenta, Sacramento Republic FC: Klimenta scored the opening goal, registered two interceptions and two tackles, and completed 47-of-53 passes in a solid all-around display.
D – Kai Greene, Rio Grande Valley FC: Greene played a key role in the Toros’ shutout of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for a 1-0 win, recording three tackles and four interceptions.
M – David Estrada, Charlotte Independence: Estrada had both goals as the Independence earned a 2-1 victory against the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday night.
M – Joaquin Rivas, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Rivas had a goal and assist in two games over the week, including the game-winner in the Roughnecks’ 2-0 victory against Real Monarchs SLC on Saturday.
M – Maikel Chang, Charleston Battery: Chang recorded two assists as the Battery earned a 2-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies to remain six points clear in the Eastern Conference.
M – Brian Ownby, Louisville City FC: Ownby set the tone for Louisville’s performance, scoring an early goal and creating other chances through his pressure in a 2-1 victory against Ottawa Fury FC.
M – Villyan Bijev, Portland Timbers 2: Bijev scored a pair of goals to twice give T2 the lead in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Orange County SC on Saturday evening.
F – Pedro Ribeiro, Harrisburg City Islanders: Ribeiro had a goal and assist, and helped set up a third City Islanders goal, in Harrisburg’s 4-3 victory against Toronto FC II on Saturday.
F – Brandon Allen, New York Red Bulls II: Allen scored the only goal of the game – his 30th for the Red Bulls II – and also completed 33-of-39 passes and created eight scoring chances in a strong all-around display.
Bench: Fabian Cerda (TUL), Aaron Jones (BST), Kris Tyrpak (SA), Nansel Selbol (SPR), Lorenzo Ramos (SEA), Luca Uccello (TOR), Djiby Fall (CIN)
