Las Vegas Lights FC defender Shawn Smart was named to the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for Week 21 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday morning.
The weekly honor is Smart’s third since going pro with the Lights during the offseason, having previously earned plaudits in Weeks 4 and 5. The latest honor comes after an impressive defensive display and scoring his second goal of the season in the club’s 1-1 draw at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last Friday. The Lights are on a club-record nine-game undefeated streak and remain in playoff contention heading into Week 22.
Previous TOTW honorees on the Lights roster include forward Khori Bennett (Week 14, 16, 17), midfielders Valentin Noël (Week 4, Week 14) and JC Ngando (Week 17), and defenders Gaoussou Samaké (Week 4) and Emrah Klimenta (Week 5). Lights Head Coach Dennis Sanchez has earned Coach of the Week honors on three different occasions throughout the 2024 season (Week 5, 14, 17).
Las Vegas will conclude its four-match road trip this Wednesday, July 31, at New Mexico United. Vegas will return to Cashman Field on August 10 against Detroit City FC. Tickets to Back to School Night, presented by Silver State Credit Union, featuring a post-game firework show presented by Phantom Fireworks, are available at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets. Fans can use code FIREWORKS at checkout for $5 off tickets. Teachers are also eligible to receive 20% off single-match tickets in-person by showing their ID at the box office.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 21
GK – Triston Henry, Memphis 901 FC – The Canadian shot-stopper had a stellar debut for 901 FC as he produced a five-save shutout in the side’s 1-0 victory against San Antonio FC to solidify a top-four place in the Western Conference.
D – Abdi Mohamed, New Mexico United: The Somalian international notched one assist and completed 40 of 49 passes overall while recording two clearances, two blocked shots and one interception in United’s victory against rival El Paso Locomotive FC.
D – Frank Nodarse, Rhode Island FC: The Cuban center back delivered a stellar defensive display as he won 5 of 5 tackles and 11 of 14 duels while making four interceptions and nine recoveries in Rhode Island’s 2-1 victory against North Carolina FC.
D – Shawn Smart, Las Vegas Lights FC: The 20-year-old right back scored his second goal of the season, won 2 of 2 tackles and 7 of 14 duels, and made two interceptions and five clearances as the Lights continued their undefeated streak with a 1-1 draw at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
M – Aaron Molloy, Charleston Battery: The Irish midfielder recorded a pair of assists across 133 minutes in two games before suffering an injury against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night having completed 88 of 103 passes and recorded six chances created.
M – Luis Felipe Fernandes, Sacramento Republic FC: Fernandes put in an immense defensive display in the center of midfield, winning 6 of 6 tackles, 9 of 12 aerial duels and 17 of 29 duels overall – second-most by an individual in the Championship in a game this season – to help Sacramento to a 1-0 road win against Detroit City FC.
M – Samuel Careaga, Memphis 901 FC: The Argentine scored the only goal of the game as 901 FC squared its season series with San Antonio FC and completed 32 of 39 passes and recorded nine recoveries and four clearances in a solid all-around display.
M – Aiden McFadden, Louisville City FC: The recent acquisition from Atlanta United notched another pair of assists in LouCity’s 4-1 victory against Monterey Bay F.C. and won 6 of 9 duels while completing 18 of 23 passes overall at Lynn Family Stadium.
F – Stefano Pinho, Birmingham Legion FC: The Brazilian veteran scored a pair of goals in Legion’s 3-0 victory against Orange County SC and completed 14 of 16 passes while notching two chances created, winning 5 of 5 tackles and 8 of 14 ground duels.
F – Greg Hurst, New Mexico United: Hurst scored the opening goal and had four shots and three chances created while completing 27 of 31 passes and 2 of 3 dribbles in United’s 2-1 victory against Derby Del Camino Real rival El Paso Locomotive FC.
F – Johnny Rodriguez, Oakland Roots SC: Rodriguez recorded a goal and assist, had three shots and two chances created and completed 25 of 30 passes in Oakland’s 2-1 win against Miami FC while also winning 8 of 12 duels.
Coach – Tom Soehn, Birmingham Legion FC: Soehn’s squad produced an impressive second-half display to pull away for a 3-0 victory against Orange County SC, posting 11 shots on target overall and seven Big Chances for an Expected Goals mark of 2.53xG.
Bench: Matt VanOekel (BHM), Jared Timmer (SAC), Emmanuel Samadia (HFD), Nate Worth (TBR), Zach Zandi (COS), Daniel Bruce (NM), Tyler Pasher (BHM)
