TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 31 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC forward Bertin Jacquesson voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording a hat trick in the Hounds’ 4-0 victory against Miami FC on Saturday night to boost the club’s postseason chances.

The French forward joined the Hounds on loan from Real Salt Lake in September, making a return to Pittsburgh where the 23-year-old had starred collegiately for the University of Pittsburgh. After scoring in his debut for the club, Jacquesson broke out with a hat trick against Miami, putting the Hounds ahead at Pitbull Stadium late in the first half before doubling the side’s lead with an audacious finish from the right flank that caught Miami goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi cheating off his near post.

Jacquesson wrapped up his hat trick with 15 minutes to go to seal an important win for the Hounds that puts them two points behind eighth-place Loudoun United FC in the postseason race with three games to go in the regular season.

Jacquesson earned 38 percent of the ballot to claim the award. North Carolina FC wingback Ezra Armstrong finished second on 31 percent after recording his first two-goal performance in the USL Championship in NCFC’s 3-2 victory against Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday evening.

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 31
GK – Gabriel Perrotta, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Perrotta posted a four-save shutout for the Hounds on the road against Miami FC, posting a -1.17 Goals Prevented mark, to help his side pick up a key in the postseason race.

D – Keegan Tingey, Loudoun United FC: Tingey scored the decisive goal in Loudoun’s 2-0 victory against Hartford Athletic to cap a good two-way display which saw him complete 31 of 37 passes and record three shots overall while making six clearances and three recoveries defensively.

D – Carter Manley, San Antonio FC: The veteran defender scored an outstanding goal to spark San Antonio’s comeback 2-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday and defensively won 2 of 3 tackles and 8 of 11 duels while making two interceptions, two clearances and eight recoveries.

D – Camden Riley, Oakland Roots SC: Riley headed home the equalizer for Roots on the road against Memphis 901 FC and was stellar in the back line as he won 6 of 6 duels while recording six clearances and one interception at AutoZone Park.

M – Rafael Mentzingen, North Carolina FC: The Brazilian notched a pair of assists in NCFC’s victory at Birmingham and completed 24 of 30 passes overall while also winning 2 of 3 tackles and 9 of 12 duels defensively.

M – Rida Zouhir, Birmingham Legion FC: The Canadian midfielder scored a superb long-range strike late to give Legion a chance to rally against North Carolina as part of a display in which he completed 66 of 78 passes and had three shots and two chances created while also winning 3 of 3 tackles and 7 of 10 ground duels.

M – Taylor Davila, Louisville City FC: Davila put together a pair of strong performances as LouCity claimed the Players’ Shield with four points across two games, recording one assist and 12 chances created while completing 95 of 109 passes and winning 3 of 5 tackles defensively.

M – Ezra Armstrong, North Carolina FC: The left-sided wingback notched his first two-goal game in the Championship to lead NCFC to a 3-2 win at Birmingham Legion FC while also completing 27 of 33 passes and 2 of 2 dribbles, winning 2 of 2 tackles and making nine recoveries in a strong two-way performance.

F – Bertin Jacquesson, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The French forward scored the first hat trick for the Hounds this season and had six shots on target overall as Pittsburgh took a 4-0 victory against Miami FC in a must-win game at Pitbull Stadium.

F – JJ Williams, Rhode Island FC: Williams recorded a goal and assist to lead RIFC to a 3-1 victory against his former club the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Beirne Stadium and had three shots and three chances created overall while also winning 10 of 18 duels.

F – Augustine Williams, Indy Eleven: The Sierra Leone international scored both goals for Indy in its 2-2 draw against LIPAFC rival Louisville City FC on Saturday night, putting home both of his shots on the night while also completing 13 of 18 passes and winning 5 of 11 duels.

Coach – Jordan Stewart, Monterey Bay F.C.: Stewart earned his first victory as a Head Coach in the professional ranks as Monterey Bay broke through for a 2-1 win against Phoenix Rising FC, the last club Stewart suited up for in his lengthy career across England and the United States.

Bench – Carlos Herrera (MB), Tony Alfaro (ELP), Alex Villanueva (DET), Elijah Wynder (LOU), Juan David Torres (CHS), Amadou Dia (LOU), Noah Fuson (RI)