Robbie Mertz, Ropapa Mensah along with former Hound Neco Brett earn Team of the Week honors

File Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

from USL Championship / Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC reports 

Riverhounds SC midfielder Robbie Mertz has been named to USL Championship Team of the Week, presented by Cleer Audio, following the club’s 4-1 victory against New York Red Bulls II on Aug. 8 at Highmark Stadium.

Mertz posted two goals in the showdown, one coming via penalty kick in the 3rd minute and the second occurring on a play during the 61st minute in that the Pittsburgh native crashed the net and slotted home a loose ball in-close.

In his second season for the Hounds, Mertz has recorded three goals and one assist for seven points. His three tallies, as well as six chances created, rank second most on the team.

In addition, former Riverhounds SC forward and Robert Morris University standout Neco Brett returned to the Team of the Week for the first time this season.

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.

Ropapa Mensah has been named to the Team of the Week bench after scoring a goal against New York this past Saturday.

The striker blasted home a shot from the top of the 18-yard box in the 65th minute. Through six games played this season, the Accra, Ghana native has six points (two goals and two assists).

USL TEAM OF THE WEEK (Aug. 11, 2020) 

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)