BIRMINGHAM, AL (Aug. 11, 2020) – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 7 of the 2020 regular season on Tuesday, and two Legion FC players earned a spot, defender Jonny Dean and forward Neco Brett.
Dean, 23, recorded a goal and an assist, created three chances, completed 51 of 56 passes overall, and won five of seven duels in Birmingham’s 4-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence on Wednesday. He also made three tackles, three clearances, and one interception while creating one chance in helping his side earn the shutout in a 1-0 win over Atlanta United 2 on Saturday. The defender has played every minute of Legion FC's first six matches to kickoff his rookie season and is currently fourth in the USL Championship with four assists.
BIRMINGHAM, AL (Aug. 11, 2020) – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 7 of the 2020 regular season on Tuesday, and two Legion FC players earned a spot, defender Jonny Dean and forward Neco Brett.
Dean, 23, recorded a goal and an assist, created three chances, completed 51 of 56 passes overall, and won five of seven duels in Birmingham’s 4-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence on Wednesday. He also made three tackles, three clearances, and one interception while creating one chance in helping his side earn the shutout in a 1-0 win over Atlanta United 2 on Saturday. The defender has played every minute of Legion FC’s first six matches to kickoff his rookie season and is currently fourth in the USL Championship with four assists.
Brett, 28, scored his first two goals for Legion FC, got off four shots, created two chances and completed 20 of 25 passes in the win over Charlotte, and then attempted two more shots and created two chances against Atlanta. The forward was one of the major offseason signings made by Legion FC, after he was named to the 2019 USL Championship All-League Second Team.
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.
Brett, 28, scored his first two goals for Legion FC, got off four shots, created two chances and completed 20 of 25 passes in the win over Charlotte, and then attempted two more shots and created two chances against Atlanta. The forward was one of the major offseason signings made by Legion FC, after he was named to the 2019 USL Championship All-League Second Team.
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 7
GK – Eric De La Cerda, Reno 1868 FC: The 19-year-old recorded seven saves, including six on shots inside the penalty area and a crucial second-half penalty kick denial, to help Reno earn a 2-1 victory against Tacoma Defiance.
D – Ish Jome, Austin Bold FC: Jome recorded two goals and one assist, completed 52 of 65 passes and made six recoveries to lead Austin to its first victory since the season resumption with a 4-1 win against Rio Grande Valley FC.
D – Akeem Ward, North Carolina FC: Ward scored the only goal of the game, made four interceptions and nine recoveries and completed 19 of 28 passes in NCFC’s 1-0 road victory against Memphis 901 FC.
D – Jonathan Dean, Birmingham Legion FC: Dean recorded a goal and assist, had three chances created and completed 51 of 56 passes overall while also winning 5 of 7 duels in Birmingham’s 4-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence.
M – Robbie Mertz, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Mertz had two goals, recorded two chances created among 31 of 39 passes completed overall and won 8 of 12 duels in the Hounds’ 4-1 victory against the New York Red Bulls II.
M – Cristian Parano, San Antonio FC: Parano had one goal and one assist, recorded two chances created and six shots, and completed 12 of 12 passes overall in San Antonio’s 3-0 road victory against OKC Energy FC.
M – Jack McGlynn, Philadelphia Union II: McGlynn led the Union II to their first win of the season, recording one goal and one assist, four chances created, four interceptions and six recoveries while winning 4 of 4 duels.
M – Chapa Herrera, El Paso Locomotive FC: The local standout scored a pair of second-half goals and completed 35 of 37 passes as Locomotive FC got back on track with a 4-2 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
F – Junior Flemmings, Phoenix Rising FC: Flemmings recorded his first hat trick in the Championship in Phoenix’s 5-2 victory against New Mexico United, while also completing 12 of 15 passes overall.
F – Neco Brett, Birmingham Legion FC: Brett scored his first two goals for Legion FC, recorded four chances created and completed 29 of 39 passes overall as Legion FC swept to a 4-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence.
F – Alec Diaz, Tacoma Defiance: Diaz recorded two goals and one assist, had four shots on goal, complete 2 of 2 dribbles and had three chances created overall in Tacoma’s 4-0 victory against the Portland Timbers 2.
Bench: Alex Tambakis (NC), AJ Cochran (PHX), Hayden Sargis (SAC), Lewis Hilton (TBR) Uvaldo Luna (COS), Solomon Asante (PHX), Ropapa Mensah (PIT) (via the USL Championship)
The squad is back on the road this week for a trip through the Carolinas. Tomorrow, August 12, the team will be in Charlotte to take on the Independence again at 6:00PM CT and then travel to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 15 at 6:00PM CT, as well. For live match updates, follow @bhmlegion on Twitter, or tune in as both matches will air live on My68 and ESPN+.
The next home match back at BBVA Field is Saturday, August 22 at 6:30PM versus Group G rivals Memphis 901 FC. Get tickets at https://www.bhmlegion.com/tickets, by emailing tickets@https://www.bhmlegion.com, or by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 7
GK – Eric De La Cerda, Reno 1868 FC: The 19-year-old recorded seven saves, including six on shots inside the penalty area and a crucial second-half penalty kick denial, to help Reno earn a 2-1 victory against Tacoma Defiance.
D – Ish Jome, Austin Bold FC: Jome recorded two goals and one assist, completed 52 of 65 passes and made six recoveries to lead Austin to its first victory since the season resumption with a 4-1 win against Rio Grande Valley FC.
D – Akeem Ward, North Carolina FC: Ward scored the only goal of the game, made four interceptions and nine recoveries and completed 19 of 28 passes in NCFC’s 1-0 road victory against Memphis 901 FC.
D – Jonathan Dean, Birmingham Legion FC: Dean recorded a goal and assist, had three chances created and completed 51 of 56 passes overall while also winning 5 of 7 duels in Birmingham’s 4-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence.
M – Robbie Mertz, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Mertz had two goals, recorded two chances created among 31 of 39 passes completed overall and won 8 of 12 duels in the Hounds’ 4-1 victory against the New York Red Bulls II.
M – Cristian Parano, San Antonio FC: Parano had one goal and one assist, recorded two chances created and six shots, and completed 12 of 12 passes overall in San Antonio’s 3-0 road victory against OKC Energy FC.
M – Jack McGlynn, Philadelphia Union II: McGlynn led the Union II to their first win of the season, recording one goal and one assist, four chances created, four interceptions and six recoveries while winning 4 of 4 duels.
M – Chapa Herrera, El Paso Locomotive FC: The local standout scored a pair of second-half goals and completed 35 of 37 passes as Locomotive FC got back on track with a 4-2 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
F – Junior Flemmings, Phoenix Rising FC: Flemmings recorded his first hat trick in the Championship in Phoenix’s 5-2 victory against New Mexico United, while also completing 12 of 15 passes overall.
F – Neco Brett, Birmingham Legion FC: Brett scored his first two goals for Legion FC, recorded four chances created and completed 29 of 39 passes overall as Legion FC swept to a 4-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence.
F – Alec Diaz, Tacoma Defiance: Diaz recorded two goals and one assist, had four shots on goal, complete 2 of 2 dribbles and had three chances created overall in Tacoma’s 4-0 victory against the Portland Timbers 2.
Bench: Alex Tambakis (NC), AJ Cochran (PHX), Hayden Sargis (SAC), Lewis Hilton (TBR) Uvaldo Luna (COS), Solomon Asante (PHX), Ropapa Mensah (PIT) (via the USL Championship)
The squad is back on the road this week for a trip through the Carolinas. Tomorrow, August 12, the team will be in Charlotte to take on the Independence again at 6:00PM CT and then travel to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 15 at 6:00PM CT, as well. For live match updates, follow @bhmlegion on Twitter, or tune in as both matches will air live on My68 and ESPN+.
The next home match back at BBVA Field is Saturday, August 22 at 6:30PM versus Group G rivals Memphis 901 FC. Get tickets at https://www.bhmlegion.com/tickets, by emailing tickets@https://www.bhmlegion.com, or by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145.
