Sporting Kansas City II forward Enoch Mushagalusa was selected to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 8 after striking twice in a wild 2-2 draw at Atlanta United 2 last Wednesday.
Mushagalusa delivered a game-changing performance in the midweek matchup at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, bagging his first two goals of the season while also finishing with game-highs in shots (six) and dribbles (six).
The 21-year-old winger gave Sporting KC II a lead in the 61st minute when he settled a pass from Ropapa Mensah on the left wing, cut centrally and sent a sublime curler into the far corner. Two minutes after Atlanta equalized, Mushagalusa struck again in the 69th minute on a stunning solo run down the left flank before finishing coolly past goalkeeper Alec Kann from a tight angle.
Mushagalusa and SKC II (1-3-4, 7 points) will look to extend their unbeaten run to four matches on Wednesday when they venture south to face Central Division rivals FC Tulsa (3-3-0, 9 points) at ONEOK Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT and the game will stream live on ESPN Plus.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 8
GK – Ben Lundt, Phoenix Rising FC: Ben Lundt recorded an eight-save shutout for Rising FC, making some vital stops to keep the side ahead before it pulled away for a 3-0 victory against Tacoma Defiance on Saturday night.
D – Joaquin Varela, San Antonio FC: Joaquin Varela scored an early goal for the visitors and then helped SAFC earn a 1-1 draw with Las Vegas Lights FC at Cashman Field making six clearances, winning 5 of 7 duels and winning two tackles.
D – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC: Sean Totsch won 5 of 5 tackles, 7 of 10 duels and made seven recoveries while completing 81 of 86 passes and almost found the net in attack, hitting the woodwork with a header in LouCity’s 3-0 win against Memphis 901 FC.
D – Macauley King, El Paso Locomotive FC: Macauley King earned a second consecutive selection after a strong two-game week that saw him record one goal and one assist, complete 61 of 75 passes and record three key passes overall and make eight recoveries.
M – Milan Iloski, Real Monarchs SLC: Milan Iloski scored both goals for the Monarchs in their 2-0 win against Sacramento Republic FC, his first in the professional ranks, and had seven shots overall in the contest.
M – Alejandro Guido, San Diego Loyal SC: Alejandro Guido came off the bench with SD Loyal down a goal to the LA Galaxy II with 22 minutes to go and helped turn the game around, scoring a long-range goal before providing a beautiful assist on Miguel Berry’s late winner.
M – Diego Luna, El Paso Locomotive FC: Diego Luna recorded his second goal of the season to lead Locomotive FC’s 2-0 win against Indy Eleven on Wednesday night, and over two games completed 48 of 53 passes, had five key passes and won 2 of 2 tackles.
M – Jake Areman, Charlotte Independence: Jake Areman had one assist and two key passes while completing 51 of 59 passes overall, completing 6 of 6 dribbles and winning 9 of 11 duels in the Independence’s 3-2 victory against Hartford Athletic.
F – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC: Solomon Asante scored the opening two goals in Phoenix’s 3-0 win against Tacoma Defiance with both shots coming from well outside the penalty area, and also recorded five shots and two key passes while completing 23 of 33 passes overall.
F – Enoch Mushagalusa, Sporting Kansas City II: Enoch Mushagalusa scored his first two goals of the season, had six shots overall and completed six dribbles in SKC II’s 2-2 draw with Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday night.
F – JJ Williams, Birmingham Legion FC: JJ Williams recorded a late game-winner for his first goal of the season to add to an assist on Neco Brett’s early finish and had four headed clearances defensively in Legion FC’s 2-1 win at OKC Energy FC.
Bench: Trey Muse (SD), Wesley Charpie (LOU), Bryce Duke (LV), Wan Kuzain (RGV), Ronaldo Damus (OC) Santi Moar (PHX), Sebastian Guenzatti (TBR)
