In the Swope Park Rangers’ most emphatic victory of the season, midfielder Felipe Hernandez delivered another standout performance en route to USL Championship Team of the Week honors for Week 29.
Hernandez, who signed an MLS contract with Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 30, paced the Rangers to an eye-catching 3-0 win over Charlotte Independence on Saturday night. The 21-year-old assisted Wilson Harris’ second goal of the evening, created a game-high eight chances, completed 37 of 43 passes and won seven of eight duels.
The well-earned result gave SPR its first road win of the 2019 USL Championship season and extended the team’s shutout streak to three matches, with Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal joining Harris on the scoresheet and goalkeeper John Pulskamp making six saves.
Hernandez now has a joint-best eight goals and four assists for SPR this season. His consistency at the USL Championship level under head coach Paulo Nagamura led to a first-team contract as Sporting’s 12th Homegrown Player in club history.
With two wins and a draw in their last three matches, SPR will look to stay hot this Wednesday when they visit D.C. United affiliate Loudoun United FC at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT with a live stream on ESPN Plus.
USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 29
GK – CJ Cochran, Fresno FC: Cochran made seven saves across two contests – including a penalty kick save in each – as the Foxes took victories against Rio Grande Valley FC and Phoenix Rising FC.
D – Bryam Rebellon, El Paso Locomotive FC: Rebellon scored the opening goal, completed 53 of 62 passes and made one interception and six recoveries in Locomotive FC’s victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
D – Michael Orozco, Orange County SC: Orozco recorded the assist on Orange County’s late game-winner, had three chances created overall and completed 42 of 48 passes against Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
D – Justin Davis, Nashville SC: Davis contributed to back-to-back shutouts for NSC over the week, making nine recoveries, winning 12 of 20 duels and recording seven chances created against Birmingham Legion FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
M – Napo Matsoso, Louisville City FC: Matsoso scored a pair of goals, went a perfect 24 of 24 passing and made three interceptions and five recoveries in LouCity’s 5-3 victory against the New York Red Bulls II.
M – Felipe Hernandez, Swope Park Rangers: Hernandez had one assist, eight chances created and completed 37 of 43 passes while winning 7 of 8 duels in the Rangers’ 3-0 win against the Charlotte Independence.
M – Dairon Asprilla, Portland Timbers 2: Asprilla scored two goals, added one assist and completed 31 of 36 passes to lead T2 to a 6-3 victory against Tacoma Defiance on Friday night.
M – Malik Johnson, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Johnson recorded three assists as the Rowdies romped to victory against Bethlehem Steel FC while completing 22 of 25 passes and 13 of 15 dribbles and winning 16 of 22 duels.
F – Kleber, Austin Bold FC: The Brazilian recorded a hat trick and completed 41 of 51 passes overall to lead Bold FC to a 4-1 victory in its home finale against Las Vegas Lights FC.
F – Hadji Barry, Ottawa Fury FC: Barry scored a hat trick, twice converting from the penalty spot, as Fury FC wrapped up a two-win week with a 4-1 win against Hartford Athletic at TD Place on Sunday.
F – Jaime Chavez, Fresno FC: Chavez recorded three goals – including the game-winner against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday – and one assist and had five chances created over two contests as the Foxes clinched a playoff place.
Bench: Kyle Morton (PIT), Prosper Kasim (BHM), Luiz Fernando (ATL), Maikel Chang (SLC) Cam Lindley (MEM), Eric Bird (RGV), Corey Hertzog (RNO)
