Joe Rice has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 20. This is Rice’s first Team of the Week selection, and Hartford’s sixth of the 2023 season. He joins Prince Saydee (Weeks 1, 6, and 8), Matt Sheldon (Week 4), and Kyle Edwards (Week 15).
Rice was vital to Hartford’s triumphant defensive performance in Las Vegas last Saturday, making a season high seven saves on the way to a 2-0 victory for the Green and Blue. His best save of the night came in the 20th minute with the game still tied 0-0. Vegas midfielder Jacob Bushue received a cross and put a well-struck header on target from close range, but Rice tracked the ball perfectly and sprung to his right to deflect the shot out of play with his right hand. A massive save to lift his club and keep them level in the early stages of the game. He would go on to earn his second clean sheet of the season and brought his save total up to 18 across seven games.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 20
GK – Joe Rice, Hartford Athletic: Rice recorded a seven-save shutout to help Hartford to its first victory since May 20 in a 2-0 win against Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday night at Cashman Field.
D – Juan Sebastian Palma, Charleston Battery: The Colombian center back scored his first goal for the Battery in their 3-1 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and also won 2 of 2 duels and made two interceptions, three clearances and nine recoveries defensively.
D – Adam Armour, FC Tulsa: Armour recorded one assist and completed 2 of 3 crosses while defensively making nine recoveries and three interceptions and winning eight duels overall in Tulsa’s victory against Rio Grande Valley FC.
D – Aedan Stanley, Miami FC: Stanley was solid defensively in Miami’s shorthanded back line, making seven recoveries and three clearances while winning 5 of 8 duels, and he completed 40 of 52 passes, including 11 of 19 long passes, in his side’s win at San Antonio.
M – Matthew Corcoran, Birmingham Legion FC: The 17-year-old recorded both assists as Legion FC rallied to take a 2-1 victory against Louisville City FC, had three chances created overall, and completed 37 of 49 passes while winning 3 of 5 tackles and 6 of 8 duels.
M – Fidel Barajas, Charleston Battery: The 17-year-old recorded two assists in the Battery’s 3-1 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, had four chances created overall and defensively won 2 of 2 tackles and made eight recoveries.
M – Amando Moreno, New Mexico United: The El Salvador international recorded a goal and assist in New Mexico’s 3-0 victory against Sacramento Republic FC and had three shots on target overall while completing 3 of 3 dribbles at Isotopes Park.
M – Brett Levis, Detroit City FC: The Canadian veteran played an integral role in two shutout victories for Le Rouge, recording five chances created and winning 21 of 34 duels, 5 of 7 tackles and making 10 clearances and 13 recoveries across 180 minutes.
F – Phillip Goodrum, FC Tulsa: Goodrum scored once and put all four of his shots on target while completing 34 of 44 passes and winning 2 of 2 tackles and 6 of 9 aerial duels defensively in Tulsa’s 2-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC.
F – Ryan Telfer, Miami FC: The Trinidad and Tobago international scored the only goal of the game as Miami handed San Antonio FC its first home defeat in 15 months, had three shots overall and put in a strong shift defensively, winning 8 of 12 duels and 8 of 12 aerial duels at Toyota Field.
F – Augustine Williams, Charleston Battery: Williams scored his ninth goal of the season and linked play well, completing 13 of 15 passes while also winning 2 of 3 duels in Charleston’s 3-1 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
Bench: Nathan Steinwascher (DET), Alex Crognale (BHM), Nicky Hernandez (NM), Maxi Rodriguez (DET), Sergio Rivas (NM), Lindo Mfeka (OAK), Marc McNulty (OC)
