USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week Three of the season on Tuesday, with Orlando City’s Kevin Molino earning Player of the Week honors after recording a goal and an assist in the Lions’ season-opening 3-1 victory against Phoenix FC on Sunday night.
The 2012 USL PRO Most Valuable Player, Molino got his 2013 campaign off to a strong start as he helped the Lions rally from an early deficit against the Wolves. With the game tied 1-1 at the break, Molino’s decisive pass released Long Tan in on goal for what proved to be the game-winner in the 68th minute. Molino then found the back of the net himself, after a nice give-and-go with Tan released him into the right side of the penalty area, from where he fired home a finish at the near post.
Tan, a new addition to the Lions this season, also earned a berth on the Team of the Week as his goal and assist after coming on as a second-half substitute proved important in Orlando’s victory. Joining Tan in the forward trio was Phoenix’s Diego Faria, who finished sharply to put his side ahead against the Lions, and VSI Tampa Bay FC’s Mauricio Salles, who had a goal and a pair of strong performances as his side took its first win in franchise history.
Salles’ Tampa Bay teammate Antonio Neto also earned a berth on the team after scoring the game-winner, and first goal in club history, in a 1-0 win against the LA Blues this last Tuesday. Pittsburgh’s Ryan Kinne was also named in the midfield after a strong performance that saw him almost steal a victory on the road against Richmond, as one of his seven shots was the closest either side came to a goal as it rang off the crossbar.
Kinne was joined by his teammates Hunter Gilstrap, who made four saves in recording a shutout against the Kickers, and center back Andrew Marshall, whose debut for the Riverhounds was an impressive one. Richmond’s William Yomby also put in a strong performance for the Kickers as they earned a point in their home opener, while Tampa Bay’s Kyle Hoffer earned his place with a commanding performance in VSI’s 1-0 win against Los Angeles
The 2013 USL PRO season continues on Wednesday as Orlando City visits the LA Blues at 8 p.m. ET at Titan Stadium. Saturday sees four games on the schedule, with Charlotte hosting Antigua in both teams’ season-opener, and Charleston beginning the defense of its title in Richmond.
Also on Saturday night, VSI Tampa Bay FC hosts its inaugural home opener as it welcomes the Rochester Rhinos to Plant City Stadium, while Pittsburgh plays its first game at its new soccer-specific Highmark Stadium against the Harrisburg City Islanders.
Sunday brings another pair of games, with Rochester completing its trip to Florida with a visit to Orlando City, while later that night Phoenix hosts Los Angeles for their second meeting this season. Every game of the USL PRO season can be seen on USLNation.com, with live updates also available via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+.