Swope Park Rangers center back Liam Doyle has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 14. Doyle scored his first-ever career goal with the equalizer in the 2-1 victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last Wednesday.
Doyle stooped to head Kevin Oliveira’s corner kick into the bottom corner in the 67th minute of the contest to make the score 1-1, before Christian Duke added the game-winner eight minutes later as SPR continued their excellent home form and improved to 6-1-1 at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in Swope Soccer Village this season.
Doyle completed 94 percent of his 67 passes out of the back – the highest passing percentage of all starters for either side in the match. The 24-year-old has made six starts for the Rangers in 2017 after moving from fellow USL outfit the Harrisburg City Islanders in the offseason.
The Swope Park Rangers are back in action tonight with a road match against Tulsa Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field, with a live stream available on SportingKC.com.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Keasel Broome, Pittsburgh Riverhounds: A late injury replacement in the starting lineup, Broome posted a five-save shutout as the Riverhounds defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0 last Thursday.
D – Liam Doyle, Swope Park Rangers: Doyle’s first professional goal highlighted a strong all-around performance as the Rangers rallied to defeat Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2-1 last Wednesday.
D – Sean McFarlane, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: McFarlane scored the only goal as the Switchbacks ended San Antonio’s 14-game unbeaten streak, and was solid all-around defensively.
D – Brent Richards, Reno 1868 FC: Richards led 1868 FC to a 2-0 victory against his former club, the Portland Timbers 2, helping set up Seth Casiple’s game-winning goal.
M – Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence: Martinez scored both goals as the Independence claimed a 2-0 victory on the road to move into the USL Eastern Conference playoff positions.
M – Sebastian Velasquez, Real Monarchs SLC: Velasquez recorded a pair of assists as the Monarchs set a USL record with their ninth consecutive win by defeating Reno 1868 FC last Monday.
M – Kenney Walker, FC Cincinnati: Walker was outstanding in the center of midfield in FCC’s 2-0 win against Saint Louis, completing 58-of-69 passes, creating three scoring chances and recording eight tackles.
M – Zach Mathers, Seattle Sounders FC 2: Mathers had three goals in two games over the week, including a pair of goals in S2’s 3-2 victory against OKC Energy FC last Monday night.
F – Wilson Kneeshaw, Sacramento Republic FC: Kneeshaw recorded a goal and three assists in Republic FC’s two wins in Week 14, including one goal and two assists in its 6-2 win against Rio Grande Valley FC.
F – Romario Williams, Charleston Battery: Williams scored two goals and added an assist to move into the lead in the race for the USL Golden Boot as Charleston took a 6-1 win against Toronto FC II.
F – Trevin Caesar, Sacramento Republic FC: Caesar recorded four goals and one assist in two games, including a hat trick in a 6-2 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC last Wednesday night.
Bench: Cody Mizell (CLT), Ryan Williams (OTT), Dante Marini (CHS), Tyler Blackwood (SAC), Jimmy McLaughlin (CIN), Pedro Ribeiro (HAR), Carlos Alvarez (OC)
