TAMPA, Fla. – A trek out west last Saturday saw Birmingham Legion FC turn in its highest scoring output of the season as the Three Sparks treated the crowd at Championship Soccer Stadium to a 4-4 thriller against Orange County SC. In the aftermath of such an offensively charged outing, the USL Championship announced on Tuesday that Amir Daley, Samuel Shashoua and Sebastian Tregarthen were named to the league’s Week 26 Team of the Week.
The weekend contest was a particular meaningful one for Dale as the defender, having joined Legion FC on loan on August 19, nabbed his first goal with the club in impressive fashion, redirecting a cross from Tregarthen onto goal with a diving header in the third minute. Daley then returned the favor in the 62nd minute when he picked out Tregarthen from the right side and the Uruguayan forward finished it off with a strong right-footed strike.
While he did not contribute directly to any of the four goals, Shashoua seemingly did everything else as he continues to take to his new role in the middle of park. The 26-year-old loanee from Minnesota United FC led Birmingham with 85 total touches while completing 59 of his 64 total passes and 27 of his 30 passes in the final third. Additionally, Shashoua won all five of his tackles and drew seven fouls, both of which were also team highs.
Tuesday’s Team of the Week selection is the first this season for both Shashoua and Daley, while Tregarthen picks up the honors for a second time, joining his Week 23 selection. Other Legion FC players to be named to Team of the Week in 2025 are Ronaldo Damus, Tyler Pasher and Danny Trejo in Week 19, Matt Van Oekel and Stephen Turnbull in Week 17/18, Pasher in Week 12, Damus in Week 6 and Kobe Hernandez-Foster in Week 3.
Sacramento Republic FC forward Kori Bennett was named Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball for Week 26 following his two-goal performance in a win over New Mexico United. 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 26
GK – Koke Vegas, Rhode Island FC: The 29-year-old Spanish shot-stopper handed Charleston its first shutout loss since June 18, recording two saves, adding eight recoveries, connecting on seven long passes and creating one chance in Rhode Island’s 1-0 victory at Centreville Bank Stadium.
D – Ricky Ruiz, El Paso Locomotive FC: The former USL League One Golden Playmaker sparked El Paso’s three-goal comeback in Phoenix, assisting Amando Moreno’s opener in the 73rd minute before netting the equalizer in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time. Ruiz also completed 88% of his 75 passes, connected on six long balls, won five duels, created five total chances, completed four crosses and won two tackles.
D – Josh Jones, Louisville City FC: The first-year professional registered the second assist across his last three matches, helping Louisville to a 3-1 road victory against Indy. The 22-year-old totaled 14 duels won, nine clearances and three long passes.
D – Samuel Shashoua, Birmingham Legion FC: The former England youth international was productive in his seventh appearance with Birmingham on loan from Minnesota United FC. In a 4-4 draw in Orange County, Shashoua completed 92% of his 64 passes, won 13 duels, earned seven fouls, connected on six of his seven long balls, won all five of his tackles and registered five recoveries.
M – Pedro Guimaraes, Orange County SC: The 17-year-old United States youth international constructed the first multi-goal-contribution match of his professional career, providing a goal and an assist in Orange County’s 4-4 draw against Birmingham. Through 90 minutes, Guimaraes completed 93% of his 54 passes, won seven duels, was accurate on four of his five long balls and registered four recoveries.
M – Samuel Careaga, Hartford Athletic: Careaga helped stretch Hartford’s unbeaten streak to a club-best nine consecutive matches with a goal in his side’s 3-2 win in North Carolina. The 23-year-old also completed 67% of his passes, registered five recoveries, connected on three long balls, won three duels and placed two shots on target.
M – Morey Doner, Oakland Roots SC: With his 34th-minute score in Oakland’s 1-0 victory against Monterey Bay, Doner has now accounted for match-winning goals in each of the last two meetings with his former club. The 31-year-old Canadian completed 91% of his 45 passes, won eight duels, reeled in three recoveries, won three fouls, placed both of his shots on target and won a pair of tackles.
M – Sebastian Tregarthen, Birmingham Legion FC: The first-year professional played a key role in Birmingham’s high-scoring, 4-4 draw in Orange County, assisting Amir Daley’s 3rd-minute opener before scoring a goal of his own in the 62nd minute. Tregarthen also completed 79% of his passes, won five duels, registered four recoveries, won both of his tackles and completed two crosses.
F – Amir Daley, Birmingham Legion FC: The Antigua and Barbuda international scored the opener before assisting Birmingham’s final goal in a 4-4 draw against Orange County. Daley completed 85% of his passes, won four duels and earned a pair of fouls.
F – Khori Bennett, Sacramento Republic FC: With two second-half goals in the span of 17 minutes, Bennett’s first Sacramento brace lifted Republic FC to a 2-0 victory in New Mexico. The 27-year-old Jamaican completed 75% of his passes, placed four shots on target, recorded four recoveries and won four duels.
F – Ihsan Sacko, Phoenix Rising FC: The first-year Phoenix forward tallied the first brace of his Rising FC career, scoring on either side of halftime in Phoenix’s 3-3 draw against El Paso. Across 76 minutes, the 28-year-old Frenchman completed all four of his passes and placed both of his shots on target.
Coach – Ryan Martin, Loudoun United FC: Ryan’s side bounced back from a Week 25 loss in Charleston by posting its largest victory since May 10, downing Miami, 3-1, on Saturday.
Bench – Raiko Arozarena (LV), Kai Greene (OAK), Kevon Lambert (LOU), Rodrigo López (SAC), Raheem Somersall (NC), Arquímides Ordóñez (LDN), Woobens Pacius (TBR)
