Hartford Athletic midfielder Anderson Asiedu and goalkeeper Paul Walters have been named to USL Championship Team of the Week for Week Three. This is Hartford’s second and third selection to Team of the Week so far this season, as Asiedu and Walters join Romario Williams (Week One) on the club’s impressive list so far.
Asiedu provided everlasting energy to Hartford’s midfield against his former club on Saturday, picking up his first assist of the season while supporting Hartford’s first half dominance over the ball in the Birmingham third. The assist came in the 23rd minute when he lofted the ball high up into the air and down into the box, which Michee Ngalina played off a volley and slid his shot past Matt Van Oekel. Asiedu caused issues for Birmingham without the ball as well, winning four tackles and swiping three interceptions.
Walters stood tall in goal for Hartford in crucial moments, making three saves on Birmingham’s best chances of the day. He denied Tyler Pasher with a fantastic left-footed kick save on a prime one-on-one chance from inside the box in the 74th minute, then punched the deflected ball out of the box to erase any rebound opportunity. In a final attempt at an equalizer for Birmingham in stoppage time, Walters made a diving stop on a well-struck free kick from Diba Nwegbo. The 19 year old loanee from FC Cincinnati has yet to let a shot past him through his first two games in the USL Championship, contributing two clean sheets to Hartford’s 2-0 start.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 3
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 3 GK – Paul Walters, Hartford Athletic: The 19-year-old posted a three-save shutout including a crucial second-half stop on a one-on-one opportunity to preserve the clean sheet and Hartford’s 1-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC.
D – Nathan Dossantos, Charleston Battery: The Canadian full back recorded one assist and defensively made four interceptions and nine recoveries while winning 3 of 5 duels in the Battery’s 4-0 victory against New Mexico United.
D – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC: The veteran center back scored the game-winning goal from the penalty spot in LouCity’s home opener victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and won 6 of 8 aerial duels defensively.
D – Carlos Guzman, Monterey Bay F.C.: The Mexican veteran scored the opening goal for Monterey Bay in its 2-2 draw with Rhode Island FC and won 5 of 6 ground duels and 6 of 6 aerial duels in a strong defensive display at Cardinale Stadium.
M – Ray Serrano, Louisville City FC: The 21-year-old scored late on having earned the penalty kick that put LouCity back on top against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and recorded three shots on target overall while completing 2 of 3 dribbles and winning 7 of 9 ground duels defensively.
M – Aaron Molloy, Charleston Battery: The Irish midfielder scored on a brilliantly-taken free kick and recorded a key goal line clearance in his side’s 4-0 victory against New Mexico United, and also completed 51 of 57 passes and won 7 of 12 duels defensively.
M – Anderson Asiedu, Hartford Athletic: Facing his former club, the Ghanaian midfielder put in a stellar all-around performance, notching one assist and three shots while defensively he won 4 of 4 tackles, 10 of 14 duels overall and made eight recoveries and three interceptions in a 1-0 win against Birmingham Legion FC.
M – Lucas Silva, San Antonio FC: The Brazilian scored the game-winning goal in SAFC’s 2-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for his second goal of the season and completed 26 of 33 passes and won 5 of 8 ground duels.
F – Allen Gavilanes, Miami FC: The former League One standout scored a pair of goals as Miami earned a 2-2 draw on the road against Orange County SC while completing 14 of 18 passes overall and notching one chance created.
F – Albert Dikwa, Rhode Island FC: The 2023 USL Championship Golden Boot winner opened his account for the new season with a pair of goals against Monterey Bay F.C. and became the first player to score for Rhode Island FC in its history.
F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: Markanich scored his second goal in as many games and had five shots overall while recording two chances created and winning 7 of 10 duels overall for a strong all-around display in Charleston’s victory against New Mexico.
Coach – Alen Marcina, San Antonio FC: Marcina’s side claimed its first win of the new season with a convincing display against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, recording 18 shots and four big chances in a determined display.
Bench: Pablo Sisniega (SA), Stephen Carroll (DET), Walmer Martinez (MB), J.C. Ngando (LV), Florian Valot (LDN), Elvis Amoh (DET), MD Myers (CHS)
