TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One announced on Monday that Richmond Kickers defender Jalen Crisler has been named to the Cleer Audio Team of the Week for Week 15 after Saturday’s home match against MLS affiliate Fort Lauderdale CF.
This marks the second time Crisler has been named to the Cleer Audio Team of the Week since he joined the Reds in February of 2021. He was previously named to the Cleer Audio Team of the Week for Week 7 following his performance against North Carolina FC at City Stadium on May 22, 2021.
“It’s an honor being named to the Cleer Audio Team of the Week, and it’s a testament to the work of the defense and the team as a whole,” Crisler said. “I felt we did a great job limiting Fort Lauderdale’s chances besides the early goal.
“We were able to press well as a team, and that starts with the guys up top doing their part. We battled hard and did well to win our duels, and Akira [Fitzgerald] was great in net, as usual, making saves and organizing us. It was great to see the team respond how we did and stay focused through the delay and be able to come away with a deserving point.”
Crisler was instrumental in limiting a potent Fort Lauderdale attack. The MLS affiliate was held to only five (5) shots while only completing 65.6 percent of its passes. The veteran centerback led the team with nine (9) duels won and eight (8) defensive recoveries made further showing why he along with his centerback partner Ivan Magalhães are one of the top duos in the league — the pair lead the team in minutes played while starting in all 12 of the Kickers’ matches to start the season. On top of his defensive output, Crisler won four (4) fouls and made two (2) key passes
“Jalen has been a very consistent player for us all season,” First Assistant Coach Mika Elovaara said. “He is a humble leader and a consummate pro, and I am very happy for him to be recognized for his performance on Saturday.”
Richmond has a quick turnaround from Saturday as the Reds prepare to head down to Cary, N.C., Wednesday night, for the second match at NCFC in less than a month — the third time overall that the two sides have faced off season. Kickoff at Sahlen’s Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. ET live on WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206/Verizon FiOS 466) and streaming on ESPN+. This match will also be live in Spanish on the radio on WULT Ultra 94.1FM/1540AM.
GK – Tim Trilk, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Trilk made eight combined saves across Chattanooga’s two matches last week, allowing only one goal from open play to help the Red Wolves earn a win against Tormenta FC and a tough away draw against North Texas SC.
D – Connor Tobin, Forward Madison FC: Tobin contributed to Madison earning an away point against Union Omaha on Friday night at both ends of the field. He scored a 67th-minute equalizer, won 5 of 6 duels, and directly denied Omaha’s prolific striker Greg Hurst on two separate occasions with a goal line clearance and an emergency sliding block.
D – Derek Waldeck, North Texas SC: Waldeck whipped in an inch-perfect cross to set up North Texas’ only goal in its 1-1 draw with Chattanooga on Saturday, completed a game-high 37 passes at a 77 percent success rate, and made two tackles.
D – Jalen Crisler, Richmond Kickers: Crisler led all players in Richmond’s 1-1 draw with Fort Lauderdale CF with nine duels won, made eight recoveries, created two chances and passed at an 82 percent accuracy rate.
M – Steffen Yeates, Toronto FC II: Yeates hardly put a foot wrong for the Young Reds. His passing was sublime, as he created a game-high five chances and completed 65 passes at a whopping 97 percent success rate.
M – Luca Mayr, South Georgia Tormenta FC: Mayr was the driving force behind Tormenta’s incredible 3-2 comeback win against rival Greenville Triumph SC on Saturday. He assisted Marco Micaletto for South Georgia’s first goal, then scored the second himself moments later with a brilliant free kick. The Austrian also won 10 duels and completed three successful dribbles.
M – Charlie Dennis, FC Tucson: The Brighton, England native picked up a pair of assists in Tucson’s big win over New England. Dennis created six chances in total while passing at an 85 percent success rate.
M – Conor Doyle, Union Omaha: Doyle ran the show in midfield during Omaha’s 1-1 draw with Forward Madison FC. He assisted Devin Boyce with a quality through ball for the team’s only goal, won 6 of 7 duels, completed two dribbles and won two tackles.
M – Aaron Walker, Greenville Triumph SC: Despite Greenville’s loss to Tormenta, Walker put in a quality performance. He scored Triumph SC’s second goal with a fine first-time finish, created two chances, and won seven duels.
F – Garrett McLaughlin, Toronto FC II: McLaughlin’s excellent hat trick brought his tally on the season to eight goals, good for second in the League One Golden Boot race behind only Greenville’s Marios Lomis.
F – Tobenna Uzo, FC Tucson: Uzo bagged his first two goals in Tucson colors in the team’s win against New England, both headers in the second half. He also led all players in the game in duels won (nine) and fouls drawn (five).
