Having scored goals in back-to-back games, Louisville City FC defender Paco Craig on Tuesday was named to his first United Soccer League Team of the Week this season.
Craig scored LouCity’s opening goal last weekend in a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls II, with his 39th-minute header the finisher to a looping free kick by fellow defender Oscar Jimenez.
The same pair — Craig and Jimenez — connected the week prior on another goal, that one the game-winner for LouCity over Saint Louis FC.
“I think maybe I’ve become a bit more daring,” Craig said of hitting the back of the net. “It could be a mixture of things. The delivery could be a little bit better these days. Maybe we’re just playing against teams who aren’t quite as good defensively or haven’t done a good job of defending me individually.
“But to be honest, I’m not too worried about why it’s happening. I’m just going to try to keep making sure it keeps happening.”
Craig had a standout effort Saturday aside from his goal, recording four interceptions and three tackles throughout his 90-minute performance. On the season, Craig leads LouCity in clearances with 68, and his 80.8 percent passing accuracy ranks among the highest numbers on the team.
In addition to Craig, LouCity forward Luke Spencer earned a spot on the USL Team of the Week bench. He made the most of limited time on the pitch, heading in the game-winning goal in the 70th minute just 41 seconds after brought on as a substitute.
Spencer’s five goals are tied with Cameron Lancaster for the team lead.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Kendall McIntosh, Portland Timbers 2: McIntosh recorded a pair of penalty-kick saves as T2 recorded its first home win of the season in a 2-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday night.
D – Paco Craig, Louisville City FC: Craig scored the opening goal – his second in as many games – and also recorded four interceptions and three tackles in Louisville’s 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls II.
D – Joe Farrell, Rochester Rhinos: Farrell played two strong games as the Rhinos took two victories, completing 92 percent of 116 passes and recording six tackles and seven clearances.
D – Henry Kalungi, Charlotte Independence: Kalungi helped the Independence record back-to-back shutouts over the week, notching five interceptions, nine clearances and completing 87 percent of 108 passes.
M – Alex Morrell, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Morrell scored his first two league goals for the Rowdies, which proved the difference in a 2-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night.
M – Emmanuel Appiah, Saint Louis FC: Appiah had a strong debut for STLFC, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win against the Richmond Kickers while also creating another chance and registering three shots on goal.
M – Lewis Hilton, Charlotte Independence: Hilton scored a pair of goals and was dynamic throughout while completing 53 of 57 passes, as the Independence took a 4-0 victory on the road against Bethlehem Steel FC on Saturday.
M – Gerardo Bruna, Ottawa Fury FC: Bruna recorded one assist and created eight other scoring chances while winning four of five duels, as Ottawa dominated Toronto FC II in a 2-0 victory on Saturday night.
F – Villyan Bijev, Portland Timbers 2: Bijev scored the game-winning goal in T2’s 2-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC to round out a solid all-around display in the attacking half.
F – Antoine Hoppenot, Reno 1868 FC: Hoppenot had a goal and assist as Reno took a 4-1 victory against a Swope Park Rangers side that hadn’t conceded a goal in 471 minutes entering Sunday’s game.
F – Masta Kacher, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Kacher set up the Switchbacks’ opening goal and had five total shots for the game as Colorado Springs took a 2-1 win against Seattle Sounders FC 2.
Bench: Diego Restrepo (SA), Taylor Mueller (CHS), Salomon Wbias (OC), Marcel Schafer (TBR), Wal Fall (ROC), Luke Spencer (LOU), Azake Luboyera (OTT)
