Swope Park Rangers defender Amer Didic has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 19, while Mark Anthony Gonzalez has been selected on the bench.
Didic earned the honor after another standout defensive display in the 2-1 victory over San Antonio FC on Saturday night, limiting SAFC to season-lows in shots (2) and shots on goal (1). Gonzalez notched his team-leading seventh goal of the season with the game-winner in the 84th minute.
Didic, 21, has played in all 20 games this season for the Rangers, starting 13 – all coming in the last 14 games. The rookie out of Baker University has played the full 90 minutes in every shutout this season, while he also earned USL Team of the Week honors for Weeks 14 and 15.
Gonzalez has made 17 appearances, including 10 starts, scoring a team-leading seven goals and adding two assists. His two game-winning goals place him in a tie for most on the team alongside winger Tyler Pasher, while the 21-year-old is the second highest scoring rookie in the league this year, trailing Brandon Allen of New York Red Bulls II. Gonzalez was also included in the Team of the Week in Week 12 after scoring twice against Rio Grande Valley FC on June 8.
Didic, Gonzalez and the Swope Park Rangers are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo. to take on Saint Louis FC. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. CT and a live stream will be available on SportingKC.com.
USL Team of the Week (Courtesy of USLSoccer.com)
GK – Spencer Richey, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: Richey set a franchise record with nine saves as WFC2 earned a 1-1 draw against Colorado Springs.
D – Taylor Hunter, Rio Grande Valley FC: Hunter helped the Toros defense limit a dangerous Sacramento attack in a 0-0 draw on Saturday night.
D – Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers: Didic helped the Rangers defense hold San Antonio to only two shots in the side’s 2-1 victory on Saturday night.
D – Cyprian Hedrick, OKC Energy FC: Hedrick put in a big performance as Energy FC held Saint Louis FC to only three shots on goal in a 0-0 draw on Saturday.
M – Maikel Chang, Charleston Battery: Chang had an assist for a second consecutive game to set up Heviel Cordoves’ equalizer in a 1-1 draw at FC Cincinnati.
M – Keegan Smith, Orlando City B: Smith capped a good all-around performance with a stoppage-time game-winner against Louisville on Saturday night.
M – Jackson Eskay, Richmond Kickers: Eskay’s first professional goal lifted Richmond in stoppage time to a 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls II.
M – Kevin Kerr, Pittsburgh Riverhounds: Kerr scored the opening goal and was strong throughout as the Riverhounds took a 4-1 win at Wilmington.
F – Cristian Mata, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Mata scored both of the Roughnecks’ goals, including a stoppage-time winner, in a 2-1 victory against Arizona.
F – Shaan Hundal, Toronto FC II: Named to the USL 20 Under 20 list last week, Hundal scored twice to lead TFC II to a 3-2 win against Bethlehem on Sunday.
F – Trevin Caesar, Orange County Blues FC: Caesar had both goals as Orange County took a 2-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II in the I-405 Derby.
Bench: Matt Cardone (SA), Mikey Ambrose (ORL), Enzo Martinez (CLT), Omar Cummings (CIN), Raheem Edwards (TOR), Corey Hertzog (PGH), Mark Anthony Gonzalez (SPR)
