TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 19 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defender Junior Etou voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after he recorded a pair of goals in the Hounds’ 5-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

Currently in his second season with the Hounds, the veteran left back broke the Hounds’ six-game scoreless run with the opening goal of the game in the 12th minute as he drove forward to join the attack and broke onto a pass by Bradley Sample before shooting low into the right corner of the net. Etou then capped the Hounds’ five-goal performance with just over 20 minutes to go as he was quick to react to the rebound off a shot by Edward Kizza to tuck home from close range.

The performance marked the first two-goal game of the 30-year-old’s professional career, with Etou having recorded just two goals in his prior four seasons in the Championship with the Charlotte Independence, Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Hounds.

“It’s a good feeling,” said Etou of the result. “It’s been six, seven, eight games, our last win was two months ago, so I think it’s a great night for everyone. I’m so happy to score two goals tonight, but for me, the most important thing is the team. Other people can score. We just need to keep working and keep pushing to try to win every game.”

Etou earned 45 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Rhode Island FC forward Albert Dikwa and FC Tulsa goalkeeper Johan Peñaranda finished tied for second on 22 percent apiece after Dikwa notched a pair of goals in RIFC’s 3-2 victory against Miami FC and Peñaranda posted a five-save shutout that included a stoppage-time penalty kick save in his side’s 0-0 draw against Monterey Bay F.C.

The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 19
GK – Johan Peñaranda, FC Tulsa: The 24-year-old posted a five-save shutout that included a stoppage-time penalty kick save to earn Tulsa a point on the road against Monterey Bay F.C. in a scoreless draw at Cardinale Stadium.

D – Junior Etou, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The left back scored a pair of goals as the Hounds broke their scoreless streak in a 5-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC and won 6 of 7 duels while making three clearances and one interception defensively.

D – Jordan Doherty, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Irish defender had a strong all-around performance in the Rowdies’ 2-0 win against Orange County SC, winning 3 of 3 tackles and 4 of 5 ground duels while completing 47 of 59 passes and notching three chances created.

D – Sean Suber, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The first-year pro recorded his first goal in the Championship in the Hounds’ victory against Oakland Roots SC and also won 4 of 4 aerial duels and made three clearances defensively.

D – Derek Dodson, Birmingham Legion FC: The 25-year-old recorded six chances created and completed 39 of 46 passes overall while winning 5 of 8 duels and recording five recoveries in Legion’s 2-1 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Protective Stadium.

M – Aaron Molloy, Charleston Battery: The Irish midfielder equaled the most chances created in a game this season with nine and had four shots while completing 55 of 68 passes overall as the Battery rallied for a 2-2 draw on the road at Hartford Athletic.

M – Bradley Sample, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The central midfielder recorded the first two assists of his professional career, completed 21 of 27 passes and 5 of 5 long passes, and made six recoveries in Pittsburgh’s victory against Oakland Roots SC.

M – Bruno Lapa, Memphis 901 FC: The Brazilian scored the late game-winning goal in 901 FC’s 1-0 victory against Detroit City FC and recorded four shots and five chances created overall, completing 8 of 8 crosses and 17 of 24 passes overall.

F – Cal Jennings, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Jennings scored both goals, surpassing 60 regular season goals in the Championship for his career in the process, and had four shots and one chance created in the Rowdies’ 2-0 victory against Orange County SC.

F – Albert Dikwa, Rhode Island FC: The 2023 Golden Boot winner notched a pair of goals on his two shots in the game and completed 9 of 12 passes as Rhode Island continued its undefeated streak with a 3-2 win against Miami FC.

F – Michee Ngalina, Hartford Athletic: The Congolese winger recorded a goal and assist, had two shots and two chances created overall, and completed 3 of 4 dribbles and 19 of 24 passes in Hartford’s 2-2 draw against the Charleston Battery at Trinity Health Stadium.

Coach – Bob Lilley, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Lilley’s squad broke out with a five-goal display against Oakland Roots SC at Highmark Stadium while limiting Roots to only two shots overall to end a 10-game winless run in the league for the Hounds.

Bench: Raiko Arozarena (LV), Ben Ofeimu (IND), Shawn Smart (LV), Robbie Mertz (PIT), Nick Markanich (CHS), Wesley Leggett (LDN), Coleman Gannon (LV)