Solomon Asante named USL PoTW as Atuahene, Kontoh join Phoenix Rising star in ToTW

Ghanaian trio Solomon Asante, Owusu-Ansah Kontoh and Francis Atuahene have been included in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship Team of the Week.

Asante, who is the reigning Championship Most Valuable Player, was looking as sharp as ever in Phoenix’s first game after the restart.

The petit attacker netted two goals and provided one assist as Rising FC thump LA Galaxy II 4-0 on Saturday night at Casino Arizona Field.

Asante now has three goals and three assists in Phoenix’s opening two games of the season.

He earned 74% of the votes to emerge as the league’s Player of the Week for Week 3.

The former Berekum Chelsea ace is joined on the Team of the Week list by teammate and compatrio Owusu-Ansah Kontoh as well as Francis Atuahene who plays for San Diego Loyal SC.

Ropapa Mensah was named on the bench following his impressive performance for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in their 3-1 victory against Louisville City FC.

GK – Evan Newton, Indy Eleven: Newton recorded a four-save shutout as the Eleven took a 2-0 victory against Saint Louis FC, and was solid with his distribution, completing 23 of 31 passes including 7 of 15 long passes.

D – Grant Stoneman, San Diego Loyal SC: Stoneman recorded his first goal in the Championship, and was solid on the back line, completing 90 of 97 passes, winning 3 of 4 duels and registering two clearances as SD Loyal defeated Real Monarchs SLC on the road.

D – Neveal Hackshaw, Indy Eleven: Hackshaw won 11 of 15 duels, made eight recoveries and completed 52 of 59 passes in addition to his late insurance goal that wrapped up victory for Indy against Saint Louis.

D – Owusu-Ansah Kontoh, Phoenix Rising FC: Kontoh was good at both ends of the field, registering three interceptions and five clearances while also notching a pair of key passes in the attacking end.

M – Jordan Dover, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Dover scored the opening goal for the Hounds, completed 27 of 35 passes overall and recorded two interceptions and two clearances in the side’s victory against Louisville City FC.

M – Saalih Muhammad, New Mexico United: Muhammad not only scored a wonderstrike to put New Mexico on top in Colorado Springs but was sharp throughout while completing 44 of 49 passes and winning 5 of 6 duels and aerial duels overall.

M – Leo Fernandes, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Fernandes scored a late game-winner as the Rowdies edged out Atlanta United 2 while completing 42 of 51 passes and recording three shots and three key passes.

M – Robbie Mertz, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Pittsburgh native scored what proved to be the game-winner in the Hounds’ big road win against Louisville City FC.

F – Francis Atuahene, San Diego Loyal SC:Atuahene scored both goals on four shots overall as SD Loyal took its first victory in club history in the lone game of Week 2 prior to the season suspension against Tacoma Defiance.

F – Tyler Pasher, Indy Eleven: The Canadian scored in his fourth consecutive game dating back to 2019 and recorded nine shots and three key passes overall in the Eleven’s 2-0 victory against Saint Louis FC on Saturday.

F – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC:The reigning Championship MVP continued his hot start with two goals and one assist in Rising FC’s 4-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday.

Bench: Kyle Morton (STL), Ayoze (IND), Dylan Mares (ELP), Ropapa Mensah (PIT), Tumi Moshobane (SD), Junior Flemmings (PHX), Chris Wehan (NM)