Las Vegas Lights forward Khori Bennett was named to the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for Week 16 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday morning. Bennett, 26, earned his second TOTW honor of the season after scoring in back-to-back home contests in Week 16, his goal contributions helping the Lights secure a 3-3 draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last Tuesday and a 1-1 draw against Memphis 901 FC last Saturday.
Bennett joins midfielder Valentin Noël (Week 4, Week 14) and defender Shawn Smart (Week 4, Week 5) as a TOTW returnee having earned his first nod in Week 14. Defenders Gaoussou Samaké and Emrah Klimenta have also been listed on the week’s best XI once this campaign in Week 4 and Week 5, respectively.
The Lights will close out their three-match homestand with a clash against the Eastern Conference’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets to the Lights’ Pride Night are available at www.lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 16
GK – Colin Shutler, Orange County SC: Shutler posted an eight-save shutout as Orange County SC earned a 1-0 victory on the road against Indy Eleven, posting a minus-1.46 goals prevented mark to hold the Boys in Blue scoreless for the first time this season.
D – Stephen Turnbull, Rhode Island FC: The right back recorded two assists in RIFC’s 5-2 victory against Louisville City FC and defensively won 6 of 8 tackles and 12 of 20 duels as the visitors won their second game of the season.
D – Jesus Enriquez, Monterey Bay F.C.: The left back came on as an 18th-minute substitute and played a key role as MBFC defeated NorCal rival Oakland Roots SC, recording one assist and four chances created while completing 4 of 5 dribbles and winning 6 of 9 duels.
D – Jojea Kwizera, Rhode Island FC: The Rwanda international scored once, won 3 of 3 tackles and 9 of 14 ground duels, and recorded four clearances as Rhode Island recorded a 5-2 victory on the road against Louisville City FC.
M – Walmer Martinez, Monterey Bay F.C.: The El Salvador international recorded one assist and completed 24 of 32 passes in his side’s 2-1 victory against Oakland Roots SC while also winning 4 of 4 tackles and 7 of 9 duels and recording six clearances and two interceptions defensively.
M – Dawson McCartney, Birmingham Legion FC: The 25-year-old recorded four shots and three chances created while completing 43 of 51 passes and winning 4 of 5 ground duels and one tackle in Legion’s 3-0 victory against San Antonio FC.
M – Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC: The Egyptian youth international scored a spectacular goal to spark Loudoun’s comeback to take a 2-2 draw against Miami FC while also completing 39 of 46 passes and winning 8 of 14 ground duels.
M – Pacifique Niyongabire, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Burundi international earned his second consecutive selection after another stellar all-around display in his side’s 1-0 win against Hartford Athletic in which he won 4 of 4 tackles, 11 of 17 ground duels and recorded four chances created and three shots.
F – Tyler Pasher, Birmingham Legion FC: The Canadian forward scored one and had four shots and five chances created while completing 36 of 39 passes overall in a 3-0 victory against San Antonio FC on Wednesday night.
F – Khori Bennett, Las Vegas Lights FC: The Jamaican forward scored in each of Las Vegas’ contests in the week and recorded five shots in 98 minutes overall as the Lights earned draws with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Memphis 901 FC.
F – Phillip Goodrum, FC Tulsa: Goodrum recorded a goal and assist to lead Tulsa’s comeback 2-1 victory against Miami FC last Wednesday night and recorded five chances created and four shots overall while winning 5 of 9 ground duels defensively.
Coach – Khano Smith, Rhode Island FC: Smith’s Rhode Island side claimed a remarkable 5-2 victory on the road against Louisville City FC for its second win of the season as RIFC became the first visiting team to score five goals against Louisville on its home turf in USL Championship history.
Bench – Alex Tambakis (NM), Alex Crognale (BHM), Talen Maples (NM), Zach Duncan (MEM), Joe Brito (RI), Frank Lopez (MIA), Ethan Zubak (OC)
