RICHMOND, Va. – USL League One announced on Monday that Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald and Jalen Crisler were named to the Team of the Week for Week 7 following Saturday’s draw against North Carolina FC.
Fitzgerald tallied his third clean sheet of the season Saturday — tied for first in the league. Another vintage performance between the pipes by the veteran saw him tally four saves, one clearance, and, most dramatically, one duel won as he sacrificed his body to snuff out an NCFC goal-scoring opportunity late in the first half. This is the second team of the week selection for Akira Fitzgerald in 2021.
Making his first appearance of 2021 in the league’s team of the week, Crisler was composed as always in the central defense. He denied the North Carolina build-up throughout the match as he won two-thirds of his aerial duels, recorded seven clearances, one tackle and one interception. Furthermore, his own distribution was crucial in the Richmond build-up as he completed 88.3% of his passes.
After three weeks in Richmond, the Kickers are back on the road this Saturday, May 29 at Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Kickoff for that match is set for 7 p.m. The Kickers return home to face New England Revolution II on Saturday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for that match are available at https://www.richmondkickers.com/tickets.
USL League One Team of the Week – Week 7
GK – Akira Fitzgerald, Richmond Kickers: Fitzgerald kept a four-save clean sheet to help Richmond earn a point on Saturday night against North Carolina FC, including an excellent first-half denial of NCFC forward Selmir Miscic’s close range effort.
D – Themi Antonoglou, Toronto FC II: Antonoglou was everywhere for TFC II on Saturday night. He picked up the assist on McLaughlin’s game-winning goal, led all players in the match with four chances created, and made two successful tackles to round off a solid performance.
D – Tyler Polak, Greenville Triumph SC: Polak won seven duels while passing at an 84 percent success rate, playing a key role in Greenville’s clean sheet win.
D – Jalen Crisler, Richmond Kickers: Crisler put in an excellent defensive shift to prevent a hungry North Carolina FC attacking unit from finding the net. He made seven clearances, won five duels and passed at an 88 percent success rate on the night.
D – Malick Mbaye, North Carolina FC: Mbaye was a big reason why the Kickers struggled to create on Saturday. He won 6 of 7 duels, made seven clearances, and completed 89 percent of his 80 attempted passes.
M – Jay Tee Kamara, North Carolina FC: Kamara was at the heart of everything for NCFC, providing the team with a spark going forward. He led all players in the match in a number of key categories, including dribbles completed (nine), chances created (seven), and duels won (10).
M – Jason Ramos, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Ramos scored the game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time to give the Red Wolves a dramatic 2-1 win over Fort Lauderdale CF on the team’s return home to CHI Memorial Stadium. He also passed at a 90 percent success rate and completed two tackles.
M – Don Smart, Greenville Triumph SC: On a night where Triumph SC struggled to create for long stretches, Smart proved to be the difference between one point and three. In addition to his assist on Marios Lomis’ goal, he created four chances overall, completed two dribbles and passed at an 84 percent success rate.
F – Garrett McLaughlin, Toronto FC II: TFC II registered only 35 percent possession in its win over North Texas, and as such, McLaughlin didn’t compile a ton of touches. But he made the ones that he did get count, recording all of his team’s three total shots on target and scoring with two of them.
F – Marios Lomis, Greenville Triumph SC: Though he was on the fringes of the action for much of the match, like all good strikers, Lomis came through when it mattered most. The Greenville forward’s terrific curling strike resulted in the game’s only goal and a win for his side, Lomis’ league-leading fifth goal of the season.
F – Josue España, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: España continued his fine run of form on Saturday, scoring Chattanooga’s first goal on the night – his third in the last two games. He created one additional chance in the match as well.
