Swope Park Rangers midfielder Lebo Moloto has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 24 after scoring both goals in the Rangers’ 2-0 victory over OKC Energy FC on Saturday night at Swope Soccer Village.
The 27-year-old gave his side the lead in the first half from the penalty spot after Sporting KC loanee Tyler Pasher had been brought down by OKC goalkeeper Cody Laurendi. Moloto stepped up to fire his spot kick into the roof of the net to make the score 1-0.
Early in the second period, Sporting KC Academy product Felipe Hernandez skipped past a challenge on the right wing and cut the ball back for Moloto, who sent his low shot beyond Laurendi to make the final score 2-0.
It was the South African’s first multi-goal game for the Rangers, and he now has five goals and four assists on the season – placing him in a tie for second on the team in each category.
The Swope Park Rangers (13-6-6, 4th place) are back in action this weekend when the side travels to take on Orange County SC at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CT with a live stream available on SportingKC.com.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Josh Cohen, Phoenix Rising FC – Cohen notched a three-save shutout, including a game-save stop in stoppage time while his side was holding a one-goal lead, as Rising FC defeated Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday night.
D – Noah Powder, New York Red Bulls II: Powder had a goal and assist and also notched five tackles and six interceptions in a standout two-way performance, as New York defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies 4-2.
D – Jimmy Ockford, Reno 1868 FC: Ockford earned his second consecutive selection, as he scored his third goal of the season, completed 41 of 43 passes. He also recorded three tackles, three interceptions and 10 clearances in a 3-1 win against Orange County SC.
D – Pascal Eboussi, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Eboussi scored the equalizer in stoppage time, as the Switchbacks grabbed a vital point in a 2-2 draw against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night.
M – Florian Valot, New York Red Bulls II: Valot scored a goal, his second in as many games, and added an assist as the Red Bulls II moved into the playoff positions with a 4-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
M – Michael Reed, San Antonio FC: Reed provided the service on both goals as San Antonio rallied to take a 2-1 victory against Real Monarchs SLC on Saturday night.
M – Guy Abend, Louisville City FC: Abend scored the only goal and also completed 67 of 77 passes, as Louisville took a 1-0 victory against the Charleston Battery to remain on top of the Eastern Conference.
M – Jalen Brown, Rochester Rhinos: Brown’s first professional goal proved to be the game-winner as the Rhinos defeated Toronto FC II to move into the top four in the Eastern Conference.
F – Juan Pablo Caffa, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Caffa had a goal and assist as the Roughnecks took a win and a draw from its first two games on their trip to the Pacific Northwest to move into fifth in the Western Conference.
F – Lebo Moloto, Swope Park Rangers: Moloto scored both goals as the Rangers took a 2-0 victory against OKC Energy FC to solidify its place in the top four in the USL Western Conference.
F – Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence: Martinez scored a pair of goals as the Independence pulled away for a 3-0 victory against the Richmond Kickers, and he moved into a tie for the league-lead in goals.
Bench: Fabian Cerda (TUL), Amadou Dia (PHX), Jonathan Barden (OTT), Masta Kacher (COS), Andrew Wiedeman (CIN), Marcus Epps (BST), Ariel Lassiter (LA)
