T2 forward Brent Richards was named to the USL Team of the Week for the 22nd week of the 2015 season, recognized for his strong performance off the bench over the weekend to help seal a 3-1 win over Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 at Merlo Field. Richards, returning from an extended absence to do injury, recorded his first two assists of the season, setting up goals by Kharlton Belmar and Blair Gavin just three minutes apart in the 68th and 71st minutes, respectively.
It's Richards first USL Team of the Week selection this season.
On the Team of the Week bench is Belmar, who scored twice against Whitecaps FC - his third multi-goal performance of the campaign. Belmar, now with 11 goals on the season, became the first T2 player to record double-digit goals in a single season and is tied for fifth among the USL's goal-scoring leaders.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Andrew Wolverton, LA Galaxy II: Recorded eight saves, including five in the first half, to keep Los Dos in the game as they rallied for a 3-2 win in Austin
D – Michael Thomas, OKC Energy FC: Was dangerous coming forward, while solid defensively, and provided the assist on the lone goal as Energy FC defeated Real Monarchs SLC
D – Alberto Navarro, Orange County Blues FC: Marshalled the Blues defense well on the road as Orange County took a 3-0 win in Arizona
D – Enrique Montano, Louisville City FC: Tied a USL season-high with three assists as he played a key role in City’s 5-1 victory against Harrisburg
M – Massimo Mirabelli, Toronto FC II: Scored a stoppage-time winner as TFC II earned a comeback victory against Richmond
M – Kenardo Forbes, Rochester Rhinos: Was excellent throughout creatively, and scored the opening goal for the Rhinos in a 2-1 win against Wilmington
M – Luke Vercollone, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Had a pair of goals as the Switchbacks played to a 3-3 draw with Sacramento
M – Brent Richards, Portland Timbers 2: Came off the bench to record two assists as T2 kept its playoff hopes alive with a 3-1 win against WFC2
F – Cristian Mata, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Continued his strong recent form with three goals in two games as the Roughnecks took four points from the week
F – Matt Fondy, Louisville City FC: Had a USL season-high four-goal game as Louisville romped past Harrisburg 5-1 last Wednesday night
F – Jack McBean, LA Galaxy II: Led a strong comeback victory with a pair of goals, including the stoppage-time winner, as Los Dos defeated Austin 3-2
Bench: Pepe Miranda (OC), Grant Van De Casteele (ROC), Aodhan Quinn (LOU), Chad Bond (TUL), Heviel Cordoves (CHS), Kharlton Belmar (POR), Ryan Finley (CLT)
