Vancaeyezeele earns spot on USL Team of Week after impressive two-way performance

Riverhounds SC rookie Thomas Vancaeyezeele has been named to USL Team of the Week after scoring his first career professional goal in a 2-2 draw at FC Cincinnati this past weekend.

In addition to his goal, Saturday’s effort by Vancaeyezeele showed his versatility — as he started the game as the Hounds central defender in a 3-5-1-1 formation, but after Head Coach Bob Lilley made second half substitutions, was moved up to the attacking midfield.

Responding to an equalizer in the second half by the hosts, Vancaeyezeele was the beneficiary of a turnover forced by Kenardo Forbes in the Cincinnati defensive third. Pushing with pace up the left side of the pitch, Forbes patiently waited for a trailing Vancaeyezeele and fed him precisely at the top of the penalty box. The rookie wasted little time, one-timing Forbes’ pass into the lower-right corner of the frame for the then go-ahead tally.

The University of Charleston (W.Va) product finished with nine clearances, three interceptions and two tackles to go along with winning 10 of 12 duels.

A native of Caen, France, Vancaeyezeele is one of only three Hounds to have played in every minute of every match so far this season. He is tied for the team lead with 11 interceptions and is one of only two players to have double-digit interceptions, clearances (14) and tackles (12). Vancaeyezeele is also second on the team in scoring with three points (one goal and one assist).

The accolade marks the third straight week a Hound has been named to USL Team of the Week, as Vancaeyezeele follows up Tobi Adewole (Week 4) and Neco Brett (Week 3 – Player of the Week).

Unbeaten through five matches this season, Riverhounds SC is back home for a date against expansion side Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, April 28.