The Week That Was: Marksmen Hit The Target

    

TAMPA, Fla. – While the USL’s stingiest defense continued its impressive form, Week 15 of the USL season overall proved to be one for the league’s marksmen. The back of the net was found 47 times across 14 games, the most of any week of the season so far, and leading the way were some of the strikers who have shone this season, or for longer, in the USL’s spotlight.

The Week That Was: Marksmen Hit The Target

When Louisville City FC was building its inaugural squad, one of the key pieces to the puzzle was forward Matt Fondy. The former Chicago Fire man had a strong resume from his time in the USL, and City wanted a player it could build its attack around.

“Matt is an incredibly talented forward who will make an immediate impact leading our attack this season,” said Louisville Coach James O’Connor when the signing was announced, and as expected Fondy has not disappointed. With a hat trick on Saturday, he has nine goals this season, and 25 in the USL to help Louisville into strong contention for a playoff place in its inaugural season.

OKC Energy FC’s Danni König was introduced with similar fanfare, and while his side may have been on the wrong end of Louisville’s rampant offensive display on Saturday, the Danish striker has too lived up to his billing. The USL’s leader with 10 goals this season has already surpassed the number of goals scored by Energy FC’s leading scorer a season ago, and is halfway to Kevin Molino’s league record with half-a-season to play.

Fondy’s return and König’s arrival have caught the eye, but USL mainstays have also maintained their proficiency in front of goal. The Charleston Battery’s Dane Kelly struck a pair of exquisite finishes this past weekend to give him 37 regular-season goals in the Battery’s colors, while Sacramento’s Rodrigo Lopez, Arizona’s Long Tan and Richmond’s Matthew Delicate also sit on the league’s leaderboard.

What has brought new energy to the league, however, are the new faces that are making an immediate impact for their respective squads. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Miguel Gonzalez, who last season starred in the PDL for the Kitsap Pumas, has six goals for the Switchbacks, while young standouts Ariel Lassiter of the LA Galaxy II and Kharlton Belmar of the Portland Timbers 2 are showing signs they may follow in the footsteps of new Seattle Sounders FC signing Andy Craven.

As the USL nears its 500th goal of the regular season, the league’s major marksmen appear to have found their range.QUOTABLE

“It’s going to be a huge match and hopefully this gives us a little bit of momentum going into the match with Rochester. I think we’ve got the pace and the skill that will give them some issues.” – Charleston Battery Coach Mike Anhaeuser looked ahead to Friday night’s game with Rochester after his side claimed a 4-1 win against Harrisburg on Saturday

“I think it's a testament to our team moving the ball very well. It was just great to have a good week of training and really focus on playing our style and making the other team work with that.” – Louisville City FC forward Matt Fondy, who recorded the first hat trick in the club’s history against OKC Energy FC

“It feels good, we need him. He’s a dynamic player, he can hold off the ball, he’s good off the back of the defenders, he’s just a guy you like to have on your team, we’re glad we have him back.” – Orange County Blues FC midfielder Christopher Santana on teammate Christofer Ramirez, who scored in his return to the side as the Blues took a 3-2 victory against Vancouver

“It's always nice to score late. We've not really managed to do that this season. It was nice to get a winner. It was a nice moment for us in front of the home fans.” – Arizona United SC midfielder Scott Morrison after his stoppage-time goal earned a 2-1 win against Real Monarchs SLC

BY THE NUMBERS

9 – The Rochester Rhinos have more shutouts this season (9) than conceded goals (5).

7 – Seven different clubs have led the USL’s Western Conference this season, in contrast to just two in the Eastern Conference .

5 – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC claimed five consecutive victories in the month of June in the USL. The Switchbacks are the only side that has yet to draw a game this season.

2 – Andy Craven became the second player to be signed to an MLS contract after starting the season in the USL when he joined Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, joining Toronto FC’s Clement Simonin.