Prince Saydee has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 1. This is Saydee’s first Team of the Week selection, and Hartford’s first of the 2023 season.
Saydee’s two-goal performance this Saturday led the Green and Blue, helping his team stay in the high scoring affair at Monterey Bay. The left-footed striker put his incredible speed on full display to score his first goal. In transition after a Monterey turnover, Saydee timed his run perfectly to burst past the Monterey back line and receive a perfectly placed ball from Andre Lewis. He dribbled around the charging Monterey Bay keeper Antony Siaha and finished on the open net, tying the game at 1-1 in the 23rd minute. His second goal came in the 76th minute when he headed a well-fed corner kick from Danny Barrera down and across the goal line, cutting Hartford’s deficit to two.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 1
Monterey Bay F.C.’s Alex Dixon claims Player of the Week after first hat trick in career, club history
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 1 of the 2023 regular season on Tuesday, with Monterey Bay F.C. forward Alex Dixon voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after scoring both the first hat trick of his career, and the first hat trick in MBFC history, in his side’s victory against Hartford Athletic at Cardinale Stadium.
A USL Championship veteran, Dixon scored the earliest goal of the opening weekend of the new campaign, finding the net after just 91 seconds to open his account for his new club. Dixon’s second goal of the night provided the 50th regular-season tally of his career, making him the 21st player to reach the mark in league history, and he added a third from the penalty spot before the halftime break to complete a historic moment for the second-year club before an enthusiastic home crowd.
Dixon earned 71 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Loudoun United FC’s Zach Ryan finished in second place on 29 percent after recording two goals and one assist as his side took a 3-1 victory on the road against Memphis 901 FC on Saturday evening at AutoZone Park to open the new campaign.
The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 1
GK – Yannik Oettl, Indy Eleven: Oettl made a key first-half penalty save – the first of his USL Championship career – to help Indy earn a 1-1 draw on the road against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
D – Amadou Dia, Louisville City FC: Dia recorded one assist and had a stellar game defensively in LouCity’s 3-1 win at Orange County, winning 3 of 3 tackles, 6 of 7 duels and 5 of 6 aerial duels.
D – Lamar Batista, San Antonio FC: The center back recorded a pair of highlight-reel goals in SAFC’s victory against Oakland Roots SC and defensively won 3 of 3 tackles and 6 of 7 aerial duels at Toyota Field.
D – Jackson Kasanzu, San Diego Loyal SC: The 19-year-old center back scored the only goal of the game and was solid in SD Loyal’s back line, winning 2 of 2 tackles and 4 of 6 aerial duels in his side’s 1-0 win against Detroit City FC at Torero Stadium.
D – Alex Crognale, Birmingham Legion FC: Crognale scored the opening goal for Legion FC in its 1-1 draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and also completed 47 of 58 passes and won 4 of 4 aerial duels at Protective Stadium.
M – Zach Ryan, Loudoun United FC: Ryan recorded two goals and one assist, having a hand in all three goals as Loudoun claimed a 3-1 victory on the road against Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park.
M – Florian Valot, Miami FC: Valot produced a highlight-reel strike to open the scoring in Miami’s 1-1 draw with FC Tulsa and completed 51 of 61 passes, completed 2 of 2 dribbles and won 5 of 8 duels in a strong all-around display.
M – Kalil ElMedkhar, Loudoun United FC: ElMedkhar notched one assist and three chances created while completing two dribbles and making three interceptions and five recoveries in Loudoun’s road victory at Memphis 901 FC.
F – Alex Dixon, Monterey Bay F.C.: Dixon recorded the first hat trick of his career – and the first in Monterey Bay’s history – to lead the side to a 5-3 victory against Hartford Athletic at Cardinale Stadium.
F – Prince Saydee, Hartford Athletic: Saydee bagged a pair of goals, completed 3 of 3 dribbles and won 8 of 8 duels in a losing effort for Hartford on the road against Monterey Bay F.C.
F – Brian Ownby, Louisville City FC: Ownby recorded a pair of assists, making him LouCity’s all-time leader in helpers, and had two shots while winning 3 of 4 duels defensively in his side’s victory at Orange County SC.
Bench: Michael Nelson (TUL), Paco Craig (MIA), Edgardo Rito (OAK), Joe Corona (SD), Robbie Mertz (PIT), PC (SA), Russell Cicerone (SAC)
