Swope Park Rangers rookie defender has been named to the USL Team of the Week for a record sixth time in Week 27. Didic scored his first professional goal and helped his side post a shutout to clinch a home playoff game in the 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday.
The 21-year-old’s six Team of the Week inclusions is the most out of any player in the USL. Didic has made 27 appearances in his first professional season after a four-year college career at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan., with the Rangers going 11-5-4 when he starts, compared to 3-5-2 when he doesn’t.
Additionally, Didic has formed a strong defensive partnership with Oumar Ballo, with SPR posting a 10-0-2 record when the two started together during the regular season. The Edmonton, Alberta native started all seven of the Rangers’ shutouts as the side clinched a playoff berth in their inaugural season.
Didic has also played every minute in Sporting Kansas City’s Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League campaign.
Didic and the Swope Park Rangers open up the USL Cup Playoffs when they face LA Galaxy II at Swope Soccer Village on Friday, Sept. 30. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. with tickets available via Ticketmaster and a live stream available on SportingKC.com.
USL Team of the Week (Courtesy of USLSoccer.com)
GK – Mark Ridgers, Orlando City B: Ridgers posted a five-save shutout as OCB took a 2-0 win against Bethlehem Steel FC to clinch a place in the postseason.
D – Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers: Didic scored his first professional goal against Seattle on Saturday, and was solid defensively in both of the Rangers’ victories to close out the season.
D – Austin Berry, FC Cincinnati: Berry put in a strong performance as Cincinnati closed out its regular season with a 1-0 victory on the road against Pittsburgh.
D – Wal Fall, Rochester Rhinos: Fall was both solid defensively, and got forward to aid the attack as the Rhinos earned the No. 4 seed in the East with 1-0 win against Toronto.
M – Michael Mecham, Wilmington Hammerheads FC: Mecham sealed a victory for the Hammerheads as the side closed the season with a 2-0 win against Richmond.
M – Lewis Neal, Orlando City B: Neal notched a highlight-reel finish, and was crucial in the center of midfield, as Orlando earned a playoff berth with victory in Bethlehem.
M – Raul Mendiola, LA Galaxy II: Mendiola scored what proved to be the game-winner, and was creative throughout, as Los Dos closed the season with a 3-1 win against Real Monarchs SLC.
M – Marco Bustos, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: Bustos scored both goals as Vancouver took a 2-1 victory against OKC Energy FC to close out the regular season last Wednesday.
F – Trevin Caesar, Orange County Blues FC: Caesar’s two late goals were pivotal as the Blues overtook Portland for the No. 8 seed in the West with a 4-0 win against Colorado Springs.
F – Memo Rodriguez, Rio Grande Valley FC: Rodriguez notched a pair of assists to lead the Toros past San Antonio FC, and into second place in the Western Conference.
F – Villyan Bijev, Portland Timbers 2: Bijev earned a second successive berth as he finished the season with two goals and one assist in a 3-2 win against Arizona United SC.
Bench: Eric Ati (WIL), Vincent Bezecourt (NY), Adonis Amaya (LA), Cameron Iwasa (SAC), Brian Brown (CLT), Cam Vickers (HAR), Steevan Dos Santos (ROC)
