TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One today announced the Team of the Round for Round 8 of the 2024 USL Jägermeister Cup with Richmond Kickers forward Chandler O'Dwyer named Player of the Round presented by Konami eFootball with a brace against Spokane Velocity FC.

O'Dwyer's 28-minute brace against newcomers Spokane was his second of the season and helped the Kickers claim a victory and go on to total 12 points through the inaugural USL Jägermeister Cup group stage - tied for the third-most among non-group winners.

The Lingfield, England native made three appearances with the Kickers in his debut professional season in 2022 before seeing more production in 2023 with two goals across 25 appearances. Enjoying a breakout 2024 in his third season at City Stadium, the 25-year-old has scored seven goals in 26 matches this season.

Prior to turning professional with the Kickers, O'Dwyer played with Isthmian League side Three Bridges FC (2017), NCAA teams University of Massachusetts Amherst (2018-19) and Christian Brothers University (2020-21) and USL League Two power Des Moines Menace (2021).

"The final round of the group stage was interesting because the reality was we had to score an unrealistic amount of goals to get through in this cup," O'Dwyer said. "So, it was more for us to certify the fact that we can win games at City Stadium, kick on to this last little bit of the season and get something out of it. I am happy about that. Getting two goals at home and helping the team win was a good enough reward, this recognition just adds to that. Very happy to get on the scoresheet again!"

"We work very hard on set pieces because, in the run of play, we have been struggling a little bit," said Richmond Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky. "To get that goal late from Justin [Sukow] was great, but Chandler [O'Dwyer] executed the first corner perfectly and the second one just happened to go in, which is good."

Across the tournament's final round, Lexington, Madison, Northern Colorado and Richmond led all teams with two starters named to the Team of the Round. Spokane, Knoxville and Charlotte also placed multiple representatives across the Team of the Round or Team of the Round bench.

COACH - Éamon Zayed, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC: Zayed's top-seeded Hailstorm navigated the group stage to perfection, becoming the lone side in the tournament's inaugural edition to escape without a loss. In Northern Colorado's 1-0 victory at Central Valley, the Hailstorm relied on a fairly inexperienced lineup to ultimately claim victory and led the league in points won above expected (1.60) and goal differential above expected goal differential (1.08) on the week, according to American Soccer Analysis.

GK - Russell Shealy, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC: In his sixth match as a professional, the 2022 NCAA College Cup champion with Syracuse University set a new personal record with a round-best five saves in a shutout victory against Central Valley. The 24-year-old led all players with 12 recoveries and registered a 0.53 goals added value, per American Soccer Analysis.

D - David García, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC: The 2023 USL League One champion has now tallied a goal in all three competitions for the Hailstorm this season, tapping in the winner on the road against Central Valley. García also contributed with four duels won, three completed long passes, two tackles won and completed 86% of his passes.

D - Camron Miller, Spokane Velocity FC: The former Western Washington University and Seattle University talent has enjoyed a productive first professional campaign with Velocity FC. The Snohomish, Wash. native recorded his first professional goal on Thursday against Richmond and added five duels won, five completed long passes, three recoveries, two shots on target and an 86% passing accuracy rate. Per American Soccer Analysis, Miller led all players with his 0.71 goals added.

D - Christian Lue Young, Lexington SC: With his assist on Cameron Lancaster's 26th-minute score, Lue Young achieved a new career-high with his fourth goal contribution on the season across all competitions. The reigning USL League One title-winner added three chances created, three duels won, three dribbles completed and two completed long passes across only 45 minutes of play. 

D - Jordan Skelton, One Knoxville SC: The 2023 USL League One All-League First Team defender guided Knoxville to a shutout victory and scored the winning goal on Sunday, all against his former team, South Georgia. The 27-year-old defender added six completed long passes, three recoveries, three interceptions and completed 95% of his passes.

M - Alexis Cerritos, Lexington SC: 16 matches into his Lexington career, Cerritos made history by becoming the club's fastest goalscorer, netting the opening score only 56 seconds into the contest. Across 90 minutes of play, the Salvadoran added two chances created, two duels won, two recoveries, two fouls won and completed nearly 98% of his passes.

M - João Gomiero, Richmond Kickers: The former North Carolina Fusion U-23 and Stumptown AC midfielder enjoyed a productive Round 8, with a round-best five chances created and five completed crosses against Spokane on Thursday. Gomiero also provided an assist, four duels won, four completed long passes, three recoveries and completed 89% of his passes.

M - Jimmie Villalobos, Forward Madison FC: Villalobos provided the assist on Christian Chaney's 85th-minute goal to lock up the Central Group for the 'Mingos. The Knoxville loanee also tallied six recoveries, three duels won, two completed long passes and completed 83% of his passes.

F - Christian Chaney, Forward Madison FC: With his clutch equalizer in the 85th minute to win the Central Group for the 'Mingos, Chaney equaled his total number of goal contributions from a season ago with 12 across all competitions. Madison's all-time leading scorer also totaled six duels won, two recoveries and one tackle won.

F - Steevan Dos Santos, Union Omaha: With his goal in the 73rd minute to lock up Omaha's Wild Card chances, Steevan Dos Santos officially surpassed Noe Meza as the club's all-time leading scorer across all competitions with 24. The veteran Cape Verdean goalscorer led or was tied for the league lead with 11 duels won, five fouls won and three shots on target.

F - Chandler O'Dwyer, Richmond Kickers: The only player with multiple goal contributions in Round 8, O'Dwyer registered his second brace of the season and totaled seven duels won, three fouls won and two recoveries. Per American Soccer Analysis, the 25-year-old was first with 1.09 goals scored above expected and second with 0.36 goals added.

BENCH: Austin Pack (CLT), Gio Calixtro (KNX), Clayton Torr (CV), Derek Waldeck (SPK), Dustin Corea (CLT), Cameron Lancaster (LEX), Juan Carlos Obregón, Jr. (CLT)