Las Vegas Lights FC midfielder J.C. Ngando was named to the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for Week 30 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday morning.
Ngando, 24, earned a spot on the league’s TOTW after recording a late second-half stoppage time equalizer off a free kick from outside the 18-yard box that paved the way for a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory at Phoenix Rising FC last Saturday. The French midfielder was productive in front of goal with five shots and three chances and had a stellar performance overall with 4 of 4 tackles and 8 of 12 duels won.
This marks the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Major League Soccer) loanee’s second appearance appearance in the Team of the Week XI this season, having earned his first nod in Week 17. He is the fourth player from the club to earn multiple TOTW selections in the 2024 season.
Previous TOTW honorees on the Lights roster include forwards Khori Bennett (Weeks 14, 16, 17) and Christian Pinzón (Week 25); midfielders Shawn Smart (Weeks 4, 5, 21, 29) and Valentin Noël (Weeks 4, 14, 22, 25); 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 occasions throughout the 2024 season (Weeks 5, 14, 17). Bennett was named the league’s Player of the Week in Week 16 and the Player of the Month in June for his standout performances.
Las Vegas now sits in fourth place (46 points) in the Western Conference table with the opportunity to secure the club’s first-ever berth in the USL Championship Playoffs as early as this Saturday, October 5 at home at Cashman Field. A win over visiting Orange County SC would clinch a playoff spot for the Lights, while a draw coupled with an FC Tulsa loss would also seal the spot.
Saturday’s match against Orange County SC will be the club’s annual Kick Cancer Night, presented by Comprehensive Cancer Centers and Desert Radiology. Tickets start at just $20 for the 7:30 p.m. PT kickoff, and for all remaining home matches, and are available at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 30
GK – Hugo Fauroux, Loudoun United FC: Fauroux became the first goalkeeper in Loudoun’s history to record an assist as his near-post flick set up Kalil ElMedkhar’s stoppage-time equalizer in Colorado Springs after having recorded four saves to keep his side in the contest at Weidner Field.
D – Clay Holstad, Rhode Island FC: Holstad had a strong performance in his wingback role, scoring once and recording four shots and two chances created while also winning 4 of 5 tackles and 7 of 10 ground duels in RIFC’s 3-1 victory on the road against San Antonio FC.
D – Arturo Ortiz, El Paso Locomotive FC: The Mexican veteran was solid in Locomotive’s back line as the side earned a 1-0 win against North Carolina FC, winning 2 of 2 tackles, 5 of 7 ground duels, and 4 of 5 aerial duels while completing 66 of 77 passes and recording three shots.
D – Jojea Kwizera, Rhode Island FC: The Rwanda international had a solid game on the left side for Rhode Island in its victory against San Antonio FC, completing 5 of 8 long passes and notching three chances created while winning 2 of 2 aerial duels and one tackle at Toyota Field.
M – Bruno Lapa, Memphis 901 FC: The Brazilian had a superb performance in Memphis’ loss in Louisville, recording both goals for the visitors while completing 43 of 46 passes, notching two chances created and winning 5 of 7 duels defensively.
M – Taylor Davila, Louisville City FC: Davila recorded two goals and one assist to lead LouCity back from a two-goal deficit to a 4-2 victory against Memphis 901 FC on Saturday night and completed 58 of 66 passes while making 10 recoveries and one interception defensively at Lynn Family Stadium.
M – Luis Felipe Fernandes, Sacramento Republic FC: Fernandes recorded a goal and assist to lead Republic FC to a 4-0 victory against New Mexico United at Heart Health Park and completed 34 of 40 passes while winning 3 of 3 tackles and recording two interceptions defensively.
M – J.C. Ngando, Las Vegas Lights FC: The French midfielder sparked the Lights’ dramatic comeback with a brilliant free kick in second-half stoppage time and was stellar overall, completing 38 of 45 passes and recording five shots and three chances created while winning 4 of 4 tackles and 8 of 12 duels.
F – Augustine Williams, Indy Eleven: The Sierra Leone international became only the third Indy player to record a hat trick as he struck for three goals in 13 minutes against Miami FC on Saturday night while equaling the league’s season-high with 10 shots, putting five on target at Michael A. Carroll Stadium.
F – Ethan Zubak, Orange County SC: The SoCal native scored both goals as Orange County SC took a 2-0 victory against Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday night at Championship Soccer Stadium while also completing 12 of 16 passes and winning 6 of 6 ground duels.
F – Albert Dikwa, Rhode Island FC: The 2023 Player of the Year notched a goal and assist in Rhode Island’s 3-1 victory against San Antonio FC at Toyota Field, including the fastest goal in RIFC history after 18 seconds, as he ended the night with four shots and two chances created.
Coach: Mark Briggs, Sacramento Republic FC: Briggs’ side produced one of its most impressive performances of the season as it took a 4-0 victory against Western Conference leader New Mexico United on Sunday night as four different players found the net.Bench: Danny Vitiello (SAC), Jack Blake (IND), Maxi Rodriguez (DET), Elijah Wynder (LOU), Rida Zouhir (BHM), Connor Rutz (DET), Wilson Harris (LOU)
