Tampa, Fla. – USL League One announced the Team of the Week for Week 13 of the 2024 regular season with Union Omaha forward Steevan Dos Santos named the Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball following his two-goal performance against Lexington SC. 

The 34-year-old veteran from Cape Verde recorded the second goal of the match against Lexington SC in the 20th minute after he got on the end of a cross from Lagos Kunga and fired the ball across the goal into the bottom left corner from close range. Dos Santos then earned his brace only 14 minutes later following a turnover from Lexington SC goalkeeper Amal Knight in which he received the ball inside the penalty area and passed it into the empty net.  

The two goals against Lexington SC brought Dos Santos’ total tally to six goals in only seven appearances across the 2024 regular season and USL Jägermeister Cup. Since he joined Union Omaha last season, Dos Santos has recorded 19 goals and six assists to lead the club into second place in the Prinx Performance Standings in the current campaign. 

"It’s great to have Steevan back in the lineup," said Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato. "He brings a lot to our team on and off the field, and he’s a leader for the group, so it’s good to have him back and good to see him approach top form and top fitness again. Very well deserved award!”

“Winning 'Player of the Week' is part of helping the team win the game, and I think for me that’s the more important win,” added Dos Santos.

COACH: Darren Sawatzky, Richmond Kickers: Currently in his fifth season in charge, Sawatzky led his side to a dramatic 2-1 win in front of 5,574 fans at home over Forward Madison FC despite the visitors being seven points above Richmond in the standings. 

GK – Brooks Thompson, Spokane Velocity FC: The 22-year-old on loan from USL Championship club Hartford Athletic earned a clean sheet with two strong saves and 22 of 26 passes completed, including 9 of 13 long balls, to earn Spokane a crucial victory. 

D – Nathan Aune, Richmond Kickers: The stalwart central defender played 90 minutes, completed 31 of 40 passes, won 2 of 2 tackles and 2 of 3 aerial duels to seal out a late 2-1 win at home. 

D – Ahmed Longmire, Spokane Velocity: The 24-year-old central defender played all 90 minutes and recorded an assist with 29 of 37 passes completed and two clearances to earn a narrow 2-1 victory over Chattanooga.  

D – Rayan Djedje, Charlotte Independence: The 23-year-old French defender played 90 minutes, completed 42 of 44 passes including 6 of 7 long balls, recorded five clearances and won 2 of 3 ground duels in his side’s 1-0 win. 

M – Adrian Billhardt, Richmond Kickers: The 26-year-old German wide midfielder played 90 minutes, tallied an assist while completing 28 of 34 passes, recorded 2 of 2 shots on target and won 10 of 16 ground duels. 

M – Callum Johnson, One Knoxville: The 26-year-old midfielder played 90 minutes, recorded an assist, completed 30 of 34 passes and created two chances to lead One Knox to a 1-0 victory. 

M – Pedro Dolabella, Union Omaha: The 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder played all 90 minutes, completed 33 of 40 passes, created one chance and won 3 of 3 tackles in his side’s 4-2 win over Lexington SC. 

M – Masango Akale, Spokane Velocity FC: The 22-year-old from Cameroon played 74 minutes and scored the opening goal against Chattanooga with 13 of 17 completed passes, two successful dribbles and 8 of 15 ground duels won. 

M – Luis Gil, Spokane Velocity FC: The 30-year-old wide midfielder played 82 minutes and scored one goal and recorded an assist with 20 completed passes to lead the club to a 2-1 win. 

F – Steevan Dos Santos, Union Omaha: The veteran forward from Cape Verde scored two goals in 14 minutes, recorded three shots and won 3 of 5 aerial duels to lead his side to a 4-2 victory. 

F – Kempes Tekiela, One Knoxville SC: The 26-year-old German forward scored the lone goal against Tormenta FC while completing 16 of 20 passes and recording 3 of 4 successful dribbles and two shots on target. 

BENCH: Romig (RIC), Spielman (CLT), O’Dwyer (RIC), Galindrez (MAD), Rendon (NCO), Lewis (SPK), Vinyals (RIC)