TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 22 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with Loudoun United FC forward Kalil ElMedkhar voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after he came off the bench to notch a pair of goals in Loudoun’s 4-1 victory against Miami FC at Segra Field on Saturday night.

Currently in his third season with Loudoun, ElMedkhar was making his third substitute appearance since an injury suffered in late May as he entered just before the hour-mark this past weekend. He quickly made an impact, threading a shot through traffic from just inside the top of the penalty area into the bottom-right corner of the net to put United into the lead in the 66th minute. Ten minutes later, he was in the right place to clean up after Florian Valot recycled possession in the penalty area for his second of the night.

ElMedkhar has been effective in an injury-hampered season for United. In fewer than 500 minutes of league action he has now recorded four goals and three assists. Saturday’s performance helped maintain Loudoun’s push for a first trip to the USL Championship Playoffs in club history, with the club sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference having lost only once in its last 11 games.

“Coming back from injury you want to hit the ground running as soon as you can,” said ElMedkhar. “To get two goals, and three points more importantly, it felt really good, and we can take that into the next game.”

ElMedkhar earned 33 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Charleston Battery forward Nick Markanich and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC defender Matt Real each finished tied for second on 22 percent after Markanich posted a goal and assist in his side’s 5-0 victory against Indy Eleven on Friday night, and Real delivered a stellar defensive performance in the Switchbacks’ 2-0 win against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday.

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 22
GK – Jahmali Waite, El Paso Locomotive FC: The Jamaican international posted a five-save shutout in a scoreless draw against Memphis 901 FC on Saturday night that registered a -2.4 Goals Prevented mark at AutoZone Park.

D – Matt Real, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The center back was immaculate defensively, winning 5 of 5 tackles, 9 of 9 duels and making two clearances, two interceptions and eight recoveries in the Switchbacks’ 2-0 win against Phoenix Rising FC.

D – Justin Malou, North Carolina FC: The Senegalese center back scored his first goal in the Championship, which proved to be the game-winner in NCFC’s 1-0 win at Orange County SC, and completed 43 of 47 passes while winning 4 of 7 duels defensively.

D – Robby Dambrot, Loudoun United FC: The 29-year-old recorded the assist on Kalil ElMedkhar’s game-winner against Miami FC and had two chances created overall while completing 62 of 65 passes and recording two blocked shots and one interception defensively.

M – Juan David Torres, Charleston Battery: The Colombian notched one assist and had two chances created while recording five shots – one of which hit the woodwork – in the Battery’s victory against Indy Eleven and defensively won 4 of 6 ground duels.

M – Edwin Laszo, FC Tulsa: The Colombian midfielder scored a spectacular goal which proved the winner in his side’s 3-1 victory against San Antonio FC and won 2 of 3 tackles and 10 of 18 duels while making seven recoveries and two interceptions in central midfield.

M – Emilio Ycaza, Charleston Battery: The 27-year-old produced a strong all-around performance in the Battery’s victory against Indy Eleven, recording one goal and completing 45 of 53 passes while making three interceptions and six recoveries defensively.

M – Valentin Noël, Las Vegas Lights FC: The French standout recorded a goal and assist as the Lights became the first team to defeat New Mexico United at Isotopes Park this season while also completing 15 of 18 passes and recording three clearances.

F – Kalil ElMedkhar, Loudoun United FC: Coming on as a second-half substitute, ElMedkhar scored a pair of goals to lead United to a 4-1 victory against Miami FC, had three shots overall and completed 9 of 12 passes while also winning 2 of 2 tackles and 2 of 3 duels.

F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: The current Golden Boot leader moved to 20 goals this season and also notched an assist in the Battery’s 5-0 victory against Indy Eleven on Friday night while recording five shots, three shots on target and winning six ground duels.

F – Tristan Trager, Monterey Bay F.C.: The 24-year-old scored the stoppage-time equalizer to add to his earlier assist in Monterey Bay’s 2-2 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and had three shots on target and two chances created while also winning 2 of 2 tackles and 4 of 4 ground duels.

Coach – Mario Sanchez, FC Tulsa: Sanchez’s squad rallied from an early deficit to take its first victory at San Antonio FC in club history in 10 visits with a 3-1 win that saw the visitors notch six shots on target to three for the hosts.

Bench: Eric Dick (PIT), Lamar Batista (NC), Matt Mahoney (COS), Danny Crisostomo (TBR), Clay Holstad (RI), Phillip Goodrum (TUL), Jansen Wilson (LOU)