Swope Park Rangers midfielder Kevin Oliveira has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 5. Oliveira came off the bench in the Rangers' 4-3 road defeat to Phoenix Rising FC on Sunday night, scoring two goals as SPR almost fought back from a four-goal deficit.
In the 78th minute, Oliveira was bundled over in the box by Kody Wakasa who was shown a straight red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Oliveira stepped up himself to send goalkeeper Josh Cohen the wrong way and get the Rangers on the board. Eleven minutes later, the 20-year-old received a pass from Colton Storm on the right side of the penalty area and struck a powerful shot in off the underside of the crossbar to make the score 4-2. The goal has been nominated for USL Goal of the Week.
Christian Duke would add a third for SPR in stoppage time but the side was unable to steal a point on the road in Phoenix.
Oliveira was making just his second appearance for the Rangers since suffering a torn ACL in June of last year. He made his comeback against Sacramento Republic FC on April 15, playing the entire second half. On Sunday night, he came off the bench in the 34th minute with the Rangers already trailing Phoenix by three goals.
In 2016, Oliveira had three goals and four assists before suffering his season-ending injury. The Sao Vicente, Cape Verde native was named No. 2 in the USL's 20-Under-20 list in August.
GK – Earl Edwards Jr., Orlando City B: Edwards recorded seven saves across two games – including a five-save shutout against Bethlehem – as OCB took four points from the week.
D – Hugo Arellano, LA Galaxy II: Arellano completed 83.5 percent of his 55 passes and recorded two tackles and five clearances in Los Dos’ 1-1 draw with Orange County.
D – Francisco Ugarte, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Ugarte made five clearances, three tackles and two interceptions as the Roughnecks earned a shutout win against Rio Grande Valley.
D – Shane McEleney, Ottawa Fury FC: McEleney had a solid game defensively as Ottawa held Toronto FC II without a shot on goal, while also completing 80 percent of his 50 passes.
M – Kevin Oliveira, Swope Park Rangers: Oliveira’s two goals almost led an improbable comeback for the Rangers against Phoenix as the Cape Verde playmaker proved a threat throughout.
M – Billy Forbes, San Antonio FC: Forbes scored the game-winning goal and added another assist, leading San Antonio to a victory against Vancouver to open a three-game road trip.
M – Richie Laryea, Orlando City B: Laryea scored both goals and completed all 18 of his passes as Orlando took a 2-0 victory against Bethlehem on Sunday evening.
M – Brian Tah Anunga, Charleston Battery: Anunga’s late game-winner against Tampa Bay lifted the Battery to the top of the Eastern Conference as he also completed 81 percent of his passes in the contest.
M – Luke Rooney, Phoenix Rising FC: Rooney had a goal and assist as Rising FC recorded its second consecutive victory, defeating Swope Park 4-3 on Sunday night.
F – Victor Arboleda, Portland Timbers 2: Arboleda completed 92.3 percent of his passes for the game and scored the second goal in a 2-0 win against Sacramento for T2’s first victory of the season.
F – Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence: Martinez’s first two goals of the season lifted the Independence to their first win as Charlotte overcame an early deficit to defeat Saint Louis.
Bench: Angelo Cavalluzzo (TOR), Roy Meeus (OC), Jordan Murrell (RNO), Raul Gonzalez (RIC), Maikel Chang (CHS), Alessandro Riggi (PHX), Kenardo Forbes (ROC)
