Swope Park Rangers center back Amer Didic has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 4 after guiding the Rangers’ backline to a shutout win over USL power Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night. Didic was named to the USL Team of the Week a league-high six times in 2016.
The 22-year-old made four tackles, five interceptions and completed an astonishing 13 clearances – eight more than anyone else on the field – as Sacramento piled the pressure on late in the game in search of an equalizer. Didic also completed 93.4 percent of his 91 passes out of the back.
Didic was making his season debut for the Rangers having missed the opening two games of the season while with the Canadian Under-23 National Team for a tournament in Qatar alongside SPR teammate Mark Anthony Gonzalez – who was also making his season debut on Saturday and notched the only goal of the game in the 70th minute.
Didic was a finalist for USL Defender of the Year in 2016 and was named to the USL All-League First Team. He was also the first Rangers player to earn a call-up to play with Sporting Kansas City, appearing in three CONCACAF Champions League games last fall.
The Rangers are back in action on Sunday night when the side travels to take on Phoenix Rising FC - who list such names as Didier Drogba, Omar Bravo and Shaun Wright-Phillips on their roster. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CT and a live stream will be available on SportingKC.com.
USL Team of the Week
Courtesy of USLSoccer.com
GK – Sean Melvin, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: Melvin put in a stellar five-save performance to lead WFC2 to a 1-0 road victory against the Portland Timbers 2.
D – Nouhou Tolo, Seattle Sounders FC 2: Tolo scored what proved to be the game-winning goal early, and then helped S2 preserve the lead with three tackles and two interceptions in a 2-1 victory against the LA Galaxy II.
D – Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers: Didic completed 93 percent of his 91 passes, and recorded 13 clearances, five interceptions and four tackles as Swope Park shut out Sacramento.
D – Matt Bahner, FC Cincinnati: Bahner recorded the assist on the opening goal in FCC’s win against Cincinnati, and also won five of six duels and made five interceptions defensively.
M – George Davis IV, Louisville City FC: Davis’ third goal in as many games helped Louisville remain undefeated, as the midfielder also won 10 duels and recorded four tackles.
M – Billy Forbes, San Antonio FC: Forbes had a goal and assist as San Antonio defeated Reno 4-0. He also created another three scoring chances as SAFC earned its biggest win in club history.
M – Vincent Bezecourt, New York Red Bulls II: Bezecourt had a goal and two assists to lead the Red Bulls II to a 3-1 victory against Orlando on Friday, snapping a two-game losing streak.
M – Memo Rodriguez, Rio Grande Valley FC: Rodriguez scored a pair of goals as the Toros took a 3-1 win against Colorado Springs last Wednesday night for their second straight victory.
F – Miguel Gonzalez, OKC Energy FC: Gonzalez’s spectacular bicycle kick lifted Energy FC to its first win of the season, a 1-0 victory against previously undefeated Sacramento, last Tuesday.
F – Romario Williams, Charleston Battery: Williams notched a hat trick in 12 first-half minutes as the Battery recorded a thumping 5-0 victory against the Rochester Rhinos.
F – Djiby Fall, FC Cincinnati: Fall scored the first hat trick in FCC history, and added another for a four-goal night in a 4-0 victory against previously undefeated Saint Louis FC.
Bench: Matt Cardone (SA), O’Brian Woodbine (CHS), Wes Charpie (STL), Masta Kacher (COS), Steevan Dos Santos (OTT), Cesar Elizondo (SA), Cardel Benbow (HAR)
