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Hounds’ Ryan James lands on USL Team of Week again; Ropapa Mensah honored too

Ryan James -- File Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

From Riverhounds SC / USL Championship reports 

Riverhounds SC defender Ryan James has been named to USL Championship Team of the Week after posting two goals in the club’s 5-0 victory against Hartford Athletic this past Saturday at Highmark Stadium.

With help from James’ performance, the Hounds clinched playoff berth for the third consecutive season.

The Mississauga, Ontario, Canada native opened the scoring in the 13th minute via a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty box. He later followed that up with another right-footed goal in the 47th minute. On the defensive end, he won three of his four tackles.

This is the second time James has been named to Team of the Week this season.

In addition, forward Ropapa Mensah has been named to Team of the Week bench after recording a brace in the Hounds’ win against Hartford. Like James, the Accra, Ghana native scored in both the first and second half.

Riverhounds SC (9-3-1) will next play Loudoun United FC (1-7-3) at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Segra Field, and this showdown will be televised on 22 The Point. This will mark the club’s final road match of the regular season.

HOUNDS NAMED TO TEAM OF THE WEEK:

Jordan Dover: Week 3 – July 14

Robbie Mertz: Week 3 – July 14

Kenardo Forbes: Week 4 – July 21

Danny Griffin: Week 4 – July 21

Kenardo Forbes: Week 6 – Aug. 4

Robbie Mertz: Week 7 – Aug. 11

Danny Vitiello: Week 9 – Aug. 25

*Ryan James: Week 10 – Sept. 1

Robbie Mertz: Week 11 – Sept. 8

Ryan James: Week 12 – Sept. 15

*Player of the Week

 

K – Simon Lefebvre, Loudoun United FC: Lefevbre tied a Championship single-game record with 13 saves as United played to a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union II on Saturday night despite being down to 10 men for 77 minutes.

D – Elijah Martin, San Diego Loyal SC: Martin helped SD Loyal record two shutouts as it conceded only three shots on goal for the week, while individually he completed 103 of 123 passes and recorded 16 recoveries across the two games and made a key goal-line clearance against Orange County SC on Sunday night.

D – Austin Yearwood, New Mexico United: Yearwood was strong throughout United’s 2-0 victory against Real Monarchs SLC on Saturday, winning 5 of 7 duels, recording five clearances and five recoveries, and also completing 40 of 57 passes and one key pass.

D – Andrew Fox, El Paso Locomotive FC: Fox won 9 of 12 duels, recorded two key passes and completed 38 of 49 passes overall as Locomotive FC handed San Antonio FC its first loss of the season on Saturday night.

M – Ryan James, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: James recorded his second two-goal game of the season and recorded three shots, completed 55 of 64 passes and won 3 of 4 tackles in the Hounds’ 5-0 win against Hartford Athletic.

M – Jake Areman, Charlotte Independence: Areman helped the Independence continue their strong run of form, recording one assist and three chances created while completing 29 of 33 passes in the side’s 3-1 victory against Birmingham Legion FC.

M – Alejandro Guido, San Diego Loyal SC: Guido recorded two goals and one assist while completing 6 of 9 dribbles and winning 14 of 25 duels as SD Loyal swept past the LA Galaxy II and Orange County SC and into second place in Group B.

M – Antoine Hoppenot, Louisville City FC: Hoppenot recorded one goal and one assist, had three key passes and completed 17 of 24 passes overall as LouCity cruised to a 3-0 victory against Saint Louis FC and back to the top of Group E.

F – Omar Sowe, New York Red Bulls II: Sowe recorded his first professional hat trick as the Red Bulls II romped to a 6-0 victory against the Philadelphia Union II last Wednesday at MSU Soccer Park.

F – Dario Suarez, FC Tulsa: Suarez continued his hot streak with three goals in two games against Austin Bold FC and OKC Energy FC, while recording three shots on target and four shots overall.

F – Rufat Dadashov, Phoenix Rising FC: Dadashov reached double-digit goals for the season with a brace and also notched an assist in Phoenix’s 5-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Friday night.

Bench: Jake Leeker (POR), Kharlton Belmar (SAC), Miguel Berry (SD), Matt Hundley (MEM), Dane Kelly (CLT), Ropapa Mensah (PIT), Amando Moreno (NM

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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