Swope Park Rangers midfielder Lebo Moloto has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 7. Moloto had the game-winning goal and an assist in the 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Friday night at Swope Soccer Village and also completed 100 percent of his 24 passes while playing as a false nine.
Winger Nansel Selbol was named to the bench of the Team of the Week after he opened the scoring with a composed finish early in the game after being set free by Kevin Oliveira.
Moloto added a second after tucking home Colton Storm’s low cross, before the South African slid a perfectly weighted pass through to Kharlton Belmar who scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season to make the halftime score 3-0. Ben McKendry pulled a goal back late in the game from the penalty spot after Amer Didic was controversially adjudged to have fouled Gloire Amanda.
The Rangers are back in action this weekend when the side travels to take on Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday, May 13 at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. with a live stream available on SportingKC.com.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Diego Restrepo, San Antonio FC: Restrepo’s four-save shutout helped SAFC stretch its undefeated start to eight games with a 1-0 victory against Sacramento.
D – Justin Bilyeu, New York Red Bulls II: Bilyeu recorded four interceptions, two clearances and an assist as the Red Bulls II earned a third consecutive win at MSU Soccer Park, defeating Harrisburg.
D – Ramon Martin Del Campo, Ottawa Fury FC: Del Campo notched three interceptions and three clearances, while also completing 53-of-65 passes to hold Tampa Bay scoreless in a draw at TD Place.
D – Damion Lowe, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Lowe earned a second consecutive selection as he won 6-of-7 aerial duels and recorded four interceptions and four clearances in a 0-0 draw against Ottawa.
M – Lindo Mfeka, Reno 1868 FC: Making his professional debut, Mfeka assisted on both of Reno’s second-half goals to help the side pull away for a victory against Phoenix.
M – Ataullah Guerra, Charleston Battery: Guerra’s early goal, his third of the season, proved the winner as the Battery defeated Bethlehem for its fifth win of the season.
M – Victor Souto, Pittsburgh Riverhounds: Souto scored a standout goal for his first as a professional to earn the Riverhounds a 1-0 victory against Toronto FC II.
M – Jerry van Ewijk, Orange County SC: Van Ewijk notched a pair of goals as Orange County opened its new venue in style with a 4-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II.
F – Masta Kacher, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Kacher struck twice as the Switchbacks earned a 3-0 victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
F – Lebo Moloto, Swope Park Rangers: Moloto recorded a goal and assist, and completed all 24 of his passes, as the Rangers swept past Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
F – Dane Kelly, Reno 1868 FC: Kelly scored a hat trick, including two goals in the opening 10 minutes, as 1868 FC bagged its first victory in club history with a 4-0 win against Phoenix.
Bench: Matt Bersano (RNO), Pecka (SA), Nansel Selbol (SPR), Jimmy McLaughlin (CIN), Wuilito Fernandes (OC), Irvin Parra (SEA), Brandon Allen (NY)
