CINCINNATI, OH --- Sean Okoli scored three goals in two games last week and was named to the USL Team of the Week for the fifth time this year for his efforts.
The forward registered his third brace of the year in the 2-1 win against Saint Louis FC, including the game-winning goal after converting a penalty kick opportunity in stoppage time. He also had the eventual game-winner, his sixth, with a goal in the first half in a 2-0 win against Wilmington Hammerheads. The two wins allowed FCC to move back into third place in the Eastern Conference race and are now a point ahead of Charlotte Independence.
With his three-goal burst, Okoli moved into a tie for first in the race for the Golden Boot and tops the USL with Jack McBean of LA Galaxy II. Saint Louis FC’s Irvin Herrera and Louisville City FC’s Jon Chandler Hoffman sit behind Okoli with one goal at 14.
FCC are at Pittsburgh tomorrow night for a 7:00 p.m. match and then return to Nippert Stadium for the regular-season home finale Sat., at 7:00 p.m.
USL Team of the Week
GK – John Berner, Charlotte Independence: Berner recorded a seven-save shutout as the Independence took a 4-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
D – Brent Richards, Portland Timbers 2: Richards scored the only goal as T2 took a victory against Rio Grande Valley FC, snapping the Toros’ 10-game undefeated streak.
D – Bruno Perone, Wilmington Hammerheads FC: Perone scored twice as Wilmington took a 3-0 victory against Orlando City B last Wednesday to boost his side’s playoff hopes.
D – Oumar Ballo, Swope Park Rangers: Ballo helped limit Tulsa to only three shots on goal in the Rangers’ 3-0 victory against the Roughnecks on Saturday night.
M – Jimmy-Shammar Sanon, FC Montreal: Sanon’s first professional goal lifted Montreal to a 2-1 victory against Charleston last Wednesday, the side’s third win in four games with the Battery.
M – Vincent Bezecourt, New York Red Bulls II: Bezecourt had three goals and an assist in two games as the Red Bulls II claimed the 2016 USL Regular Season Championship.
M – Luke Vercollone, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Vercollone notched both goals as the Switchbacks took a victory on the road against Vancouver in a key Western clash.
M – David Estrada, Charlotte Independence: Estrada scored a pair of goals as the Independence took a 4-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night.
M – Magnus Rasmussen, Louisville City FC: Rasmussen’s first goal of the season highlighted a strong all-around performance in Louisville’s 2-0 win against Richmond.
F – Sean Okoli, FC Cincinnati: Okoli had three goals in two games as Cincinnati took victories against Saint Louis and Wilmington to move back into third place in the East.
F – Irvin Herrera, Saint Louis FC: In his return from international duty with El Salvador, Herrera had a hat trick to lead STLFC to a 3-1 win on the road against San Antonio.
Bench: Mark Pais (STL), Kyle Hyland (OKC), Jordan Schweitzer (SEA), Cameron Lancaster (LOU), Trevin Caesar (OC), Noah Powder (NY), Maikel Chang (CHS)
