TEAM OF THE WEEK | Fall Season Week 11
New York Cosmos forward Raúl, San Antonio Scorpions midfielder Rafael Castillo, and Minnesota United defender Kevin Venegas all scored for their teams, but more importantly helped their clubs pick up three points with match-winning performances. For their efforts, they earned Team of the Week honors.
See who else made the Team of the Week for Week 11 of the Fall Season below:
GK: Romuald Peiser (Ottawa Fury FC) – The French goalkeeper added his league-leading 11th shutout of the year in a 0-0 draw against the visiting Fort Lauderdale Strikers. When called upon, Peiser made big save after big save to keep the Strikers off the scoresheet and help Fury FC earn a point in the hard-fought match.
DEF: Albert Watson (FC Edmonton) – With the Eddies pushing for a place in the postseason, the captain provided on both sides of the field. The Northern Ireland native scored the game’s lone goal and then led the back line in a shutout performance in a 1-0 win over the visiting Tampa Bay Rowdies.
DEF: Frankie Sanfilippo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers) – Wearing the captain’s armband, Sanfilippo showcased his leadership ability. The California native marshalled the back line as the Strikers played to a draw against Ottawa.
DEF: Kevin Venegas (Minnesota United) – The fullback never shies away from his defensive responsibility, but it was the California native’s play when bombing down the flanks that was instrumental in Minnesota’s win. Venegas helped cause the own goal by getting a flick on the ball off a free kick to pull Minnesota level after trailing by a goal early in the first half. He then played the initial ball for the Loons’ second goals, the eventual game-winner, and finished the night with a clean strike to the bottom corner in the 3-1 victory over the visiting Carolina RailHawks.
MID: Dustin Corea (FC Edmonton) – The Salvadoran international has been a tireless worker on the flanks for the Eddies and against the Rowdies it was no different. Corea also had a role in the goal, sending in the corner kick that Albert Watson turned into the back of the net.
MID: Tiyi Shipalane (Carolina RailHawks) – The South African midfielder had an absolute screamer of a goal against the Scorpions in the wild 3-3 draw. He then assisted on Carolina’s lone goal with a corner kick that found the head of Futty Danso against Minnesota United, but the RailHawks went on to lose the match, 3-1.
MID: Rafael Castillo (San Antonio Scorpions) – The Scorpions were looking to move out of last place in the Fall Season and Combined Standings, and Castillo proved pivotal in doing so. He scored from a penalty kick in a 3-3 draw against Carolina in a midweek clash and added another from the spot against Indy Eleven. The Colombian midfielder also finished a pinpoint cross from Billy Forbes to complete his double in the 2-0 win over Indy. Castillo also took home Player of the Week honors for his three-goal performance.
MID: Marvin Chávez (San Antonio Scorpions) – The Honduras veteran, much like his teammate Rafael Castillo, was a dangerous attacking threat throughout the week. He received a fortunate bounce for his first goal against Carolina and then added a second against the RailHawks in superb fashion with a strike from the top of the box in the draw. Against Indy, Chávez drew the penalty kick, which set San Antonio on its way to victory.
MID: Walter Restrepo (New York Cosmos) – Always willing to take on defenders, the California native did his best on a wet field against Jacksonville Armada FC. Restrepo did pick out Raúl with a fine cross, which led to the only goal in the game in a 1-0 victory.
FWD: Raúl (New York Cosmos) – With the clock ticking, the Cosmos were staring at a draw despite being a man up at home. The Spanish star, however, had other ideas. Receiving the ball from Walter Restrepo, Raúl faked his way past a pair of defenders before picking out the top corner for the lone goal of the match to claim all three points against Jacksonville.
FWD: Pablo Campos (Minnesota United) – Coming on as a second-half substitute, Campos contributed to the Loons’ attacking surge in the comeback victory. The Brazilian forward volleyed home Christian Ramirez’s knockdown from a header into the bottom far corner to put Minnesota ahead in the victory.
