A trio of Las Vegas Lights players were named to the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for Week 4 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday morning. Defenders Shawn Smart and Gaoussou Samaké, and midfielder Valentin Noël earned their TOTW nods following their efforts to post a 3-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday night.
The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up
of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 4
GK – Nate Steinwascher, Detroit City FC: The local standout made three saves – including a pair of key
stops early in the second half – to keep Detroit in the game against Indy Eleven before the side rallied
for a 2-1 victory.
D – Shawn Smart, Las Vegas Lights FC: The 20-year-old won 3 of 4 tackles and 11 of 19 duels while
making 10 recoveries, four clearances and two interceptions in Las Vegas’ 3-0 victory on the road against
Oakland Roots SC.
D – Mitchell Taintor, San Antonio FC: The veteran center back recorded the assist on San Antonio’s late
game-winner against Monterey Bay F.C. and won 2 of 2 tackles and 6 of 6 duels while completing 42 of
53 passes at Toyota Field.
D – Jordan Doherty, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Irish defender scored his first goal for Tampa Bay since
2020 with a powerful header in the side’s 4-1 victory against Rhode Island FC, made one goal line
clearance, and won 5 of 5 duels overall.
M – Ray Serrano, Louisville City FC: The 21-year-old earned his second consecutive selection after
recording a goal and assist in LouCity’s 5-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC while recording three
shots, three chances created and completing 24 of 30 passes overall.
M – Valentin Noël, Las Vegas Lights FC: The French midfielder had a goal and assist and notched three
chances created in Las Vegas’ 3-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC while also completing 20 of 28 passes
and recording three clearances and four recoveries.
M – Taylor Davila, Louisville City FC: The LouCity newcomer recorded his first goal for the club and
provided the assist on the side’s opening goal against Birmingham Legion FC while recording three
chances created and completing 55 of 59 passes overall.
M – Maxi Rodriguez, Detroit City FC: The Le Rouge mainstay had the late game-winner against Indy
Eleven after earlier recording an assist in his side’s 2-1 win against Indy Eleven and completed 25 of 31
passes overall.
F – Gaoussou Samake, Las Vegas Lights FC: The native of Ivory Coast had one goal and one assist while
recording four chances created and completing 11 of 14 passes overall in the Lights’ 3-0 victory on the
road in Oakland.
F – Wilson Harris, Louisville City FC: The 24-year-old scored a pair of goals, had three shots on target
overall and notched two chances created while also winning 2 of 2 aerial duels as Louisville ran out to a
5-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC.
F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: The 24-year-old scored in his third consecutive game and had
four shots on target on six shots while completing 25 of 29 passes and recording three chances created
in Charleston’s 2-1 victory against Miami FC.
Coach: Danny Cruz, Louisville City FC: Cruz’s side posted its first five-goal performance since the 2022
season as it defeated Birmingham Legion FC as the side recorded 18 shots in its victory at Lynn Family
Stadium.
Bench: Rocco Ríos Novo (PHX), Aaron Guillen (TBR), Arturo Astorga (NM), Rodrigo Lopez (SAC), Ali Coote
(DET), Louis Perez (NC), Jorge Hernandez (SA)
