The USL Championship announced Tuesday that Charleston Battery players Joey Akpunonu, Aaron Molloy, Arturo Rodriguez and Cal Jennings were named to the league’s Week 20 Team of the Week.
The quartet turned in sterling performances in the Battery’s 3-0 victory over Miami on FC.
Akpunonu opened the scoring for Charleston with his header in the 19th minute. The goal was also Akpunonu’s first of his professional career. Akpunonu also held it down defensively, recording 12 clearances (match-high), seven recoveries, five duels won, two blocks, two tackles won and 89% passing accuracy.
Molloy was key to Akpunonu’s opener and provided the assist off the corner kick. The Irish midfielder co-led the game in chances created (four), along with six duels won, five recoveries, two successful dribbles, one tackle won, one clearance and 94% passing accuracy.
Rodriguez put a bow on the night with his goal in the 53rd minute that effectively put the game to bed. It was the result of a stellar build-up by the team and Rodriguez capped it off with a perfect first-time strike. The Mexican midfielder contributed seven duels won (team-high), five recoveries, four shots on target and one clearance.
Jennings turned in a decisive performance in just under an hour’s worth of work. The striker assisted Rodriguez’s goal with a clever cross that went against the grain and teed up the goal perfectly. Jennings also had two duels won, two chances created and one successful dribble.
The slate of selections to the Team of the Week brings the Battery’s season total for the honor to 22.
Charleston’s next match will be at home vs. the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Sat., July 26, in the USL Jägermeister Cup. Tickets for the final Jägermeister Cup group stage game are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, the club’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 20
GK – Brooks Thompson, Lexington SC
D – Ryan Doghman, Orange County SC
D – Gagi Margvelashvili, Oakland Roots SC
D – Joey Akpunonu, Charleston Battery
M – Chris Hegardt, Orange County SC
M – Aaron Molloy, Charleston Battery
M – Mikey Maldonado, North Carolina FC
M – Arturo Rodriguez, Charleston Battery
M – Louis Perez, North Carolina FC
F – Cal Jennings, Charleston Battery
F – Mouhamadou War, Orange County SC
Coach – Danny Stone, Orange County SC
Bench – Kendall McIntosh (OAK), Sean Suber (PIT), Neveal Hackshaw (OAK), Pedro Dolabella (NC), Marco Micaletto (COS), Woobens Pacius (TBR), Evan Conway (NC)