TAMPA, Fla. – Earning his first start in over a month, Birmingham Legion FC’s Jake Rufe made the most of the opportunity on Saturday night at ONEOK Field. His late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against FC Tulsa highlighted an impressive performance that garnered USL Championship Team of the Week honors for Week 27, the league announced on Tuesday.
Wearing the captain’s armband for the final 18 minutes of the match, the Huntsville, Alabama-native was the driving force in Legion FC salvaging a point on the road against the Western Conference leaders with a headed effort in the 87th minute for his second goal of the season and third of his career.
“I knew I would have an opportunity to get back on the field,” said Rufe who has made 20 starts across all competitions this season. “We have a roster full of good players, so (falling out of the starting lineup) can happen at anytime, that’s part of being a professional athlete. I’m just knew that when my number was called that I was going to give it my all, so I’m happy I was able to contribute with a goal.”
Operating in the middle of the backline, Rufe also played a key role in nullifying FC Tulsa’s scoring chances from the run of play by winning nine of his 14 duels, including four aerial duels. The veteran defender also led Birmingham with 10 clearances to go along with two interceptions and a pair of fouls won.
Rufe’s Team of the Week selection marks the second consecutive week that a Legion FC player garnered such attention, with Amir Daley, Samuel Shashoua and Sebastian Tregarthen all picking up honors in Week 26. Other Legion FC selections in 2025 include 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.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC forward Augi Williams was named Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball for Week 27 after scoring a pair of first half goals in a 2-0 win over Oakland Roots SC. 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 27
GK – Hugo Fauroux, Loudoun United FC: With a big stop in the second half against El Paso, Fauroux became the 11th goalkeeper in USL Championship history to record three penalty kick saves in a single season. The 29-year-old also completed 74% of his passes, connected on four long balls and made four total saves in Loudoun’s 2-1 road win against El Paso.
D – Jake Rufe, Birmingham Legion FC: The longtime Legion defender scored his second of the season to salvage a late road draw against Western Conference leaders Tulsa. The 29-year-old Huntsville, Ala. native also added 10 clearances, won nine duels, completed 80% of his passes, connected on five long passes and completed both of his dribbles.
D – Tyler Clegg, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Clegg’s long-range stunner kicked off the defending champions’ 2-1 comeback victory against Monterey Bay on Saturday. The 25-year-old defender finished with eight accurate long balls, a 76% passing accuracy rate, seven clearances, seven recoveries and four duels won.
D – Lamar Batista, FC Tulsa: The veteran USL Championship defender helped Tulsa cushion its lead atop the Western Conference table, contributing to his side’s 1-1 draw against Birmingham with 13 clearances, 12 duels won, an 82% passing accuracy rate, seven completed long balls, three fouls won, three recoveries and three tackles won.
M – Jack Blake, Indy Eleven: Blake scored in each of Indy’s two Week 27 matches, finishing with eight duels won, a 79% passing accuracy rate, four recoveries, four completed long passes and three clearances across 120 minutes.
M – Florian Valot, Loudoun United FC: Valot assisted Ben Mines’ second-minute opener before finishing with an 84% passing accuracy rate, six duels won, four recoveries, three total chances created and three tackles won.
M – Nick Firmino, Lexington SC: In Lexington and North Carolina’s first meeting since the 2023 USL League One season, Firmino scored the winner to send LSC to its first victory against NCFC. The 24-year-old Brazilian also completed 97% of his 30 passes, won six duels, earned four fouls and reeled in three recoveries.
M – Ben Mines, Loudoun United FC: Mines tallied the opening goal in the third minute of Loudoun’s 2-1 victory against El Paso on Saturday. The 25-year-old also won eight of his nine duels, earned seven fouls and added two recoveries.
F – Cal Jennings, Charleston Battery: With his 15th USL Championship brace in Charleston’s 2-1 victory against Indy, Jennings tied Dane Kelly for the most braces in league history. In addition to helping the Battery lock up a postseason berth, the Golden Boot leader also completed 79% of his passes, won five duels and won a pair of tackles.
F – Augustine Williams, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: With a brace in Oakland, Williams powered Pittsburgh to its first win in over a month and first win on the road since May. The former Sierra Leone international also won a penalty kick, completed 62% of his tackles, won 12 duels and added four recoveries.
F – Russell Cicerone, Sacramento Republic FC: Cicerone contributed to Sacramento’s 2-0 victory in Tampa Bay with a goal and an assist. The 30-year-old completed 80% of his passes, connected on all four of his long balls, registered three recoveries and won three duels.
Coach – Neill Collins, Sacramento Republic FC: In the first match against his former club, Collins guided Sacramento to its first-ever victory against Tampa Bay via a 2-0 shutout at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday.
Bench – Hunter Sulte (IND), Hugo Bacharach (RI), Sean Totsch (LOU), Aaron Molloy (CHS), Steven Echevarria (COS), Robbie Mertz (PIT), Darren Smith (DET)
