Tulsa, OK – After recording his eighth clean sheet of the season this past weekend to help the Tulsa Roughnecks pick up 3 key points in a 1-0 victory over the LA Galaxy II, goalkeeper Fabian Cerda was named to the USL Team of the Week.
Although this is the first time Cerda has been honored with the selection, it is the twelfth time this season that a Roughnecks player has been chosen for the league’s weekly squad as Cerda became the eighth different representative from the club to be honored in 2017. Previous recipients this year include Joey Calistri, Juan Pablo Caffa (5x), Jorge Corrales, Mo Jadama, Ian Svantesson, Joaquin Rivas, and Francisco Ugarte.
Cerda earned the honor after helping anchor a solid defensive effort by TRFC in another shutout performance. Following a goal in the 25th minute by Tulsa’s Calistri, the Roughnecks were unable to extend their advantage against Galaxy II. But Cerda helped make sure the lead would hold as he made several quality saves in both halves. He especially came in clutch with a pair of saves in the final 10 minutes of regulation as Los Dos made a push to try and find an equalizer.
The victory was important as it gave Tulsa 3 critical points, putting the club at 43 total points on the season. The Roughnecks currently sit in sixth place in the USL’s Western Conference with four matches to go in the regular season.
This weekend will feature a preview of a potential playoff matchup as the Roughnecks will host San Antonio FC at ONEOK Field on Saturday, September 30. San Antonio is currently sitting in the third seed in the USL’s Western Conference and would be Tulsa’s opponent in the opening round of the playoffs if both clubs maintain their respective position. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:00 PM. Fans wanting to reserve tickets to come cheer on the Roughnecks in their push to claim their first USL playoff berth in franchise history can do so by clicking HERE.
The complete USL Team of the Week is listed below.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Fabian Cerda, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Cerda recorded a five-save shutout, as the Roughnecks moved closer to a playoff berth with a 1-0 win against the LA Galaxy II.
D – William Yomby, Richmond Kickers: Yomby made six interceptions and nine clearances, as the Kickers earned a 1-0 victory against the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday night.
D – Hunter Gorskie, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Gorskie scored the only goal of the game and also put in a solid defensive display as the Rowdies moved into the Eastern Conference’s top four by defeating the Charlotte Independence.
D – Oumar Ballo, Swope Park Rangers: Ballo opened the scoring in the Rangers’ 3-1 win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and also recorded eight clearances while going five of eight in duels.
M – Lewis Neal, Orlando City B: Neal scored a late game-winner to go with his earlier assist, as OCB gave its playoff hopes a major boost with a 2-1 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday.
M – Alessandro Riggi, Phoenix Rising FC: Riggi recorded two goals and two assists to lead Rising FC to a pair of victories, as Phoenix ran its undefeated streak to 10 games.
M – George Davis IV, Louisville City FC: Davis scored two goals in two games, as Louisville took four points from the week to extend its lead in the Eastern Conference to seven points.
M – Lindo Mfeka, Reno 1868 FC: Mfeka scored four goals in two games – including a hat trick against OKC Energy FC on Wednesday night – as Reno moved into second place in the Western Conference.
F – Antoine Hoppenot, Reno 1868 FC: Hoppenot notched a pair of goals, as Reno romped to a 6-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday night at Greater Nevada Field.
F – Cory Burke, Bethlehem Steel FC: Burke tallied twice to help Steel FC take a big step toward a place in the playoffs with a 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Sunday afternoon.
F – Heviel Cordoves, Charleston Battery: Cordoves scored three goals in two games, including a pair of goals on Wednesday night to help the Battery defeat the Charlotte Independence.
Bench: Matt Pickens (TBR), Jose Escalante (RGV), Jose Angulo (OKC), Kharlton Belmar (SPR), Dane Kelly (RNO), Seth Rudolph (STL), Corey Hertzog (PGH)
Tulsa, OK – After recording his eighth clean sheet of the season this past weekend to help the Tulsa Roughnecks pick up 3 key points in a 1-0 victory over the LA Galaxy II, goalkeeper Fabian Cerda was named to the USL Team of the Week.
Although this is the first time Cerda has been honored with the selection, it is the twelfth time this season that a Roughnecks player has been chosen for the league’s weekly squad as Cerda became the eighth different representative from the club to be honored in 2017. Previous recipients this year include Joey Calistri, Juan Pablo Caffa (5x), Jorge Corrales, Mo Jadama, Ian Svantesson, Joaquin Rivas, and Francisco Ugarte.
Cerda earned the honor after helping anchor a solid defensive effort by TRFC in another shutout performance. Following a goal in the 25th minute by Tulsa’s Calistri, the Roughnecks were unable to extend their advantage against Galaxy II. But Cerda helped make sure the lead would hold as he made several quality saves in both halves. He especially came in clutch with a pair of saves in the final 10 minutes of regulation as Los Dos made a push to try and find an equalizer.
The victory was important as it gave Tulsa 3 critical points, putting the club at 43 total points on the season. The Roughnecks currently sit in sixth place in the USL’s Western Conference with four matches to go in the regular season.
This weekend will feature a preview of a potential playoff matchup as the Roughnecks will host San Antonio FC at ONEOK Field on Saturday, September 30. San Antonio is currently sitting in the third seed in the USL’s Western Conference and would be Tulsa’s opponent in the opening round of the playoffs if both clubs maintain their respective position. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:00 PM. Fans wanting to reserve tickets to come cheer on the Roughnecks in their push to claim their first USL playoff berth in franchise history can do so by clicking HERE.
The complete USL Team of the Week is listed below.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Fabian Cerda, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Cerda recorded a five-save shutout, as the Roughnecks moved closer to a playoff berth with a 1-0 win against the LA Galaxy II.
D – William Yomby, Richmond Kickers: Yomby made six interceptions and nine clearances, as the Kickers earned a 1-0 victory against the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday night.
D – Hunter Gorskie, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Gorskie scored the only goal of the game and also put in a solid defensive display as the Rowdies moved into the Eastern Conference’s top four by defeating the Charlotte Independence.
D – Oumar Ballo, Swope Park Rangers: Ballo opened the scoring in the Rangers’ 3-1 win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and also recorded eight clearances while going five of eight in duels.
M – Lewis Neal, Orlando City B: Neal scored a late game-winner to go with his earlier assist, as OCB gave its playoff hopes a major boost with a 2-1 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday.
M – Alessandro Riggi, Phoenix Rising FC: Riggi recorded two goals and two assists to lead Rising FC to a pair of victories, as Phoenix ran its undefeated streak to 10 games.
M – George Davis IV, Louisville City FC: Davis scored two goals in two games, as Louisville took four points from the week to extend its lead in the Eastern Conference to seven points.
M – Lindo Mfeka, Reno 1868 FC: Mfeka scored four goals in two games – including a hat trick against OKC Energy FC on Wednesday night – as Reno moved into second place in the Western Conference.
F – Antoine Hoppenot, Reno 1868 FC: Hoppenot notched a pair of goals, as Reno romped to a 6-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday night at Greater Nevada Field.
F – Cory Burke, Bethlehem Steel FC: Burke tallied twice to help Steel FC take a big step toward a place in the playoffs with a 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Sunday afternoon.
F – Heviel Cordoves, Charleston Battery: Cordoves scored three goals in two games, including a pair of goals on Wednesday night to help the Battery defeat the Charlotte Independence.
Bench: Matt Pickens (TBR), Jose Escalante (RGV), Jose Angulo (OKC), Kharlton Belmar (SPR), Dane Kelly (RNO), Seth Rudolph (STL), Corey Hertzog (PGH)
