TAMPA, Fla. - USL League One announced on Monday the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 19 of the 2021 regular season, with Chattanooga Red Wolves SC midfielder Ricky Ruiz named Player of the Week after recording three assists in his side’s 4-1 victory last Wednesday night against North Carolina FC.
Ruiz made League One history as the first player in its history to record a three-assist game as he set up first-half goals for Marky Hernandez and Jackson Dietrich before completing his night by setting up Jonathan Ricketts for the final goal for the visitors in the 76th minute at WakeMed Soccer Park. Ruiz is now tied for the league-lead with seven assists this season alongside Fort Lauderdale CF’s George Acosta.
Victories by a quartet of teams see the Red Wolves, Union Omaha, Forward Madison FC and North Texas SC each land two players apiece on the Team of the Week.
GK – Rashid Nuhu, Union Omaha: Nuhu moved into a tie for the league-lead with his fifth shutout of the season, recording a pair of saves as los Buhos took a 1-0 victory on the road against FC Tucson to continue their undefeated streak to 10 games.
D – Jason Ramos, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Ramos put in a stellar defensive display for the Red Wolves in their road win against North Carolina, winning 7 of 11 duels and recording 10 recoveries, eight clearances and winning 3 of 4 tackles while completing 46 of 55 passes.
D – Gustavo Fernandes, Forward Madison FC: Fernandes helped Madison claim a key victory to its playoff hopes against South Georgia Tormenta FC, notching one assist and two key passes while winning 8 of 11 duels and winning four tackles defensively.
D – Derek Waldeck, North Texas SC: Waldeck had one assist and three key passes moving forward into attack from left back and made 10 recoveries and two interceptions defensively while completing 24 of 31 passes.
M – Ricky Ruiz, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Ruiz not only notched three assists in his side’s 4-1 win against North Carolina FC but finished with three shots and eight key passes overall while winning 4 of 5 duels and completing 28 of 36 passes.
M – Kalil ElMedkhar, North Texas SC: ElMedkhar got NTSC off to an ideal start with the opening goal after 10 minutes in its 4-0 victory against North Carolina FC and finished the night with three shots and three key passes while also completing 27 of 28 passes overall.
M – Tobias Otieno, Union Omaha: Otieno was impressive in the center of midfield for Omaha, winning 13 of 18 duels and making 10 recoveries and four interceptions while completing 43 of 51 passes as the visitors shut out FC Tucson in a 1-0 win.
M – Justin Sukow, Forward Madison FC: Sukow scored what proved to be the game-winner for the Flamingos in their 2-1 win against South Georgia Tormenta FC and completed 31 of 36 passes overall while also making nine recoveries and two interceptions in midfield.
M – Noel Buck, New England Revolution II: Buck started the Revolution II’s comeback to earn a 2-2 draw with the Richmond Kickers with his goal in the 86th minute and had two shots and three key passes while completing 25 of 30 passes overall.
F – Mitchell Curry, Fort Lauderdale CF: Curry recorded a goal and assist as Fort Lauderdale took victory against Greenville Triumph SC, setting up Shaan Hundal’s opener before doubling the side’s lead three minutes later, and ended the night with three shots and five key passes overall.
F – Emiliano Terzaghi, Richmond Kickers: The 2020 League One MVP continued his pursuit of a second consecutive Golden Boot with two goals in Richmond’s 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution II, sending him to 11 goals this season. He is now tied with Ronaldo Damus for most regular season goals in League One history.