RICHMOND, VA — (Tuesday, September 12, 2017) — The United Soccer League (USL) announced Tuesday that Sunny Jane was named the USL Player of the Week for Week 25. Jane played in the free kick that found Mallan Roberts just at the end line so he could get a header back in front of goal for Mikey Minutillo’s opening goal in the 40th minute. Five minutes later, Jane scored from a free kick after winning it at the top of the Orlando box to seal the victory over Orlando City B and give the Kickers their first win on the road this season.
Jane received 32 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Georgi Hristov finished second with 26 percent of the poll.
Sunny Jane is in his second season in Richmond, where he has scored eight goals and assisted on three more goals over 45 appearances. This season has seen Jane take the field on 19 occasions, 13 of which were starts, and scoring three goals in the last four games and assisting on two goals this season. The Lesotho international spent two seasons with Wilmington Hammerheads FC before joining the Kickers in 2016, scoring seven goals and picking up three assists in 41 appearances.
The Kickers return to action this Saturday night as they travel to take on long-time rivals Charleston Battery at MUSC Health Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. and the match can be viewed on the Kickers Official Television partners WTVR CBS 6 via their 6.3 sub channel (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466) and streamed online through the USL Match Center. Keep up to date with the Kickers online at www.richmondkickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand YouTube.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Sean Melvin, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: Melvin recorded a seven-save shutout as WFC2 earned a draw on the road against OKC Energy FC on Sunday night.
D – Victor Vasquez, Phoenix Rising FC: Vasquez recorded five tackles and four interceptions over Rising FC’s two outings over the week as the side earned a win and a draw.
D – Lamar Batista, Portland Timbers 2: Batista recorded three interceptions and five clearances as T2 earned a shutout against Real Monarchs SLC on Saturday night.
D – Brent Richards, Reno 1868 FC: Richards recorded the opening goal in Reno’s 2-1 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Wednesday and finished with five tackles and seven interceptions over two games.
M – Pedro Ribeiro, Harrisburg City Islanders: Ribeiro notched the game-winning goal against Saint Louis FC and also notched an assist earlier in the week against the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the City Islanders.
M – Joey Calistri, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Calistri had the game-winning goal and an assist as the Roughnecks earned a 3-1 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 to finish their trip to Cascadia with seven points.
M – Speedy Williams, Louisville City FC: Williams scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot to cap an outstanding midfield performance that saw him complete 81 of 95 passes and win all eight of his regular and aerial duels.
M – Sunny Jane, Richmond Kickers: Jane scored one goal and set up the other with a well-delivered free kick as the Kickers ended Orlando City B’s 12-game undefeated streak on Thursday night.
F – Stefano Bonomo, New York Red Bulls II: Bonomo converted twice from the penalty spot to lead the Red Bulls II to a 2-1 victory against Toronto FC II on Saturday night
F – Irvin Parra, Orange County SC: Parra’s first goal for Orange County lifted the side to a crucial 2-1 victory against the Swope Park Rangers that pushed OCSC back into the playoff picture.
F – Georgi Hristov, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Hristov scored a pair of goals as the Rowdies rallied to defeat the Harrisburg City Islanders 3-2 on Wednesday night at FNB Field.
Bench: Charlie Lyon (OC), A.J. Gray (PHX), Carlos Rodriguez (SAC), Sam Rogers (SEA), Michael Reed (SA), Renzo Zambrano (POR), Luke Spencer (LOU)
