Las Vegas Lights FC midfielder Valentin Noël was named to the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for Week 22 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday morning.
This marks Noël’s third appearance on the weekly best XI of the 2024 campaign, having previously earned plaudits in Weeks 4 and 14. The Frenchman recorded a goal and assist during last Wednesday’s 2-1 win at New Mexico United. The Lights are on a club-record 10-game undefeated streak and remain in playoff contention heading into this Saturday’s home matchup against Detroit City FC.
Previous TOTW honorees on the Lights roster include forward Khori Bennett (Weeks 14, 16, 17), midfielder J.C. Ngando (Week 17), and defenders Gaoussou Samaké (Week 4), Shawn Smart (Weeks 4, 5, 21), 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 (Weeks 5, 14, 17). In addition to weekly accolades, Bennett was named the league’s Player of the Month in June for his standout performance.
Las Vegas Lights FC return to Cashman Field for the first time in over a month this Saturday, 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 for the 7:30pm PT kickoff. Teachers are also eligible to receive 20% off single-match tickets in-person by showing their ID at the box office on gameday.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 22
GK – Jahmali Waite, El Paso Locomotive FC: The Jamaican international posted a five-save shutout in a scoreless draw against Memphis 901 FC on Saturday night that registered a -2.4 Goals Prevented mark at AutoZone Park.
D – Matt Real, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The center back was immaculate defensively, winning 5 of 5 tackles, 9 of 9 duels and making two clearances, two interceptions and eight recoveries in the Switchbacks’ 2-0 win against Phoenix Rising FC.
D – Justin Malou, North Carolina FC: The Senegalese center back scored his first goal in the Championship, which proved to be the game-winner in NCFC’s 1-0 win at Orange County SC, and completed 43 of 47 passes while winning 4 of 7 duels defensively.
D – Robby Dambrot, Loudoun United FC: The 29-year-old recorded the assist on Kalil ElMedkhar’s game-winner against Miami FC and had two chances created overall while completing 62 of 65 passes and recording two blocked shots and one interception defensively.
M – Juan David Torres, Charleston Battery: The Colombian notched one assist and had two chances created while recording five shots – one of which hit the woodwork – in the Battery’s victory against Indy Eleven and defensively won 4 of 6 ground duels.
M – Edwin Laszo, FC Tulsa: The Colombian midfielder scored a spectacular goal which proved the winner in his side’s 3-1 victory against San Antonio FC and won 2 of 3 tackles and 10 of 18 duels while making seven recoveries and two interceptions in central midfield.
M – Emilio Ycaza, Charleston Battery: The 27-year-old produced a strong all-around performance in the Battery’s victory against Indy Eleven, recording one goal and completing 45 of 53 passes while making three interceptions and six recoveries defensively.
M – Valentin Noël, Las Vegas Lights FC: The French standout recorded a goal and assist as the Lights became the first team to defeat New Mexico United at Isotopes Park this season while also completing 15 of 18 passes and recording three clearances.
F – Kalil ElMedkhar, Loudoun United FC: Coming on as a second-half substitute, ElMedkhar scored a pair of goals to lead United to a 4-1 victory against Miami FC, had three shots overall and completed 9 of 12 passes while also winning 2 of 2 tackles and 2 of 3 duels.
F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: The current Golden Boot leader moved to 20 goals this season and also notched an assist in the Battery’s 5-0 victory against Indy Eleven on Friday night while recording five shots, three shots on target and winning six ground duels.
F – Tristan Trager, Monterey Bay F.C.: The 24-year-old scored the stoppage-time equalizer to add to his earlier assist in Monterey Bay’s 2-2 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and had three shots on target and two chances created while also winning 2 of 2 tackles and 4 of 4 ground duels.
Coach – Mario Sanchez, FC Tulsa: Sanchez’s squad rallied from an early deficit to take its first victory at San Antonio FC in club history in 10 visits with a 3-1 win that saw the visitors notch six shots on target to three for the hosts.
Bench: Eric Dick (PIT), Lamar Batista (NC), Matt Mahoney (COS), Danny Crisostomo (TBR), Clay Holstad (RI), Phillip Goodrum (TUL), Jansen Wilson (LOU)
