Sporting KC Homegrown forward Daniel Salloi has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 1 after tallying a goal and an assist in the Swope Park Rangers' season-opening 3-1 victory over OKC Energy FC on Saturday night.
Salloi recorded the assist on Latif Blessing's game-winning goal in the 62nd minute, setting up the young Ghanaian forward after closing down a pass out of the back from OKC. Nine minutes later, Salloi found the net himself after latching on to Christian Duke's through ball and slotting a first-time finish beyond Cody Laurendi to make the final score 3-1.
It was Salloi's fifth goal for the Rangers and fourth assist, having tallied four goals and three assists in 10 games while on loan with the Rangers in the early stages of the 2016 USL season. Salloi, Blessing and Kevin Ellis were all recalled by Sporting KC earlier today.
The Rangers are back in action on Wednesday night when the side hosts Portland Timbers 2 at Children's Mercy Victory Field in Swope Soccer Village. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT with a live stream available on SportingKC.com, while tickets are on sale via SeatGeek or at the box office on gameday.
USL Team of the Week
Courtesy of USLSoccer.com
GK – Travis Worra, Richmond Kickers: Worra recorded a five-save shutout, including a penalty kick save in the first half, as the Kickers opened their 25th season with a 1-0 victory.
D – Emrah Klimenta, Sacramento Republic FC: In his first game since a torn ACL brought his 2016 season to a premature end, Klimenta scored the game-winning goal in Republic FC’s 2-1 win against Seattle.
D – Conor Shanosky, Richmond Kickers: The Kickers’ captain scored the only goal to lift Richmond to a 1-0 victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders in front of a club-record crowd of 8,021 at City Stadium.
D – Sebastian Ibeagha, San Antonio FC: Ibeagha was excellent in his debut for SAFC, recording 10 clearances as his side took a 1-0 road victory against Rio Grande Valley FC in the South Texas Derby.
M – Justin Portillo, Charleston Battery: Portillo recorded the game-winning goal and an assist to top off a strong all-around performance as the Battery defeated FC Cincinnati 2-1.
M – Carlos Alvarez, Orange County SC: Alvarez was the key element in Orange County’s 2-0 victory on the road against Reno, playing a role in both goals and linking play throughout.
M – Juan Caffa, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: The Argentinian made a big impact during his debut for Tulsa, scoring a spectacular free kick and providing the assist on a late goal as the Roughnecks defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 4-1.
M – Vincent Bezecourt, New York Red Bulls II: Bezecourt got his second season with New York off to a flying start with a pair of goals in the Red Bulls II’s 3-3 draw with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
F – Corey Hertzog, Pittsburgh Riverhounds: A 2016 All-League selection, Hertzog picked up where he left off with two goals in a 3-3 draw against New York, including a highlight-reel tally and the late equalizer.
F – Duke Lacroix, Orange County SC: Lacroix bagged a pair of goals in his Orange County debut, including a fine solo effort that gave the side a two-goal lead before halftime against Reno.
F – Daniel Salloi, Swope Park Rangers: The young standout recorded the assist on Latif Blessing’s game-winning goal before adding a tally of his own in a 3-1 win against OKC Energy FC.
Bench: Kendall McIntosh (POR), Konrad Plewa (STL), Richard Ballard (LOU), Jay Chapman (TOR), Ian Svantesson (TUL), Georgi Hristov (TBR), Ethan Zubak (LA)
