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TAMPA, Fla. – After bagging two goals in a 3-0 victory against Orange County SC over the weekend, the plaudits are rolling in for Stefano Pinho. On Tuesday, the 33-year-old forward was named USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 21, marking the first time this season that any Birmingham Legion FC player has received the award.
The Three Sparks were well-represented this week with Tom Soehn also named Coach of the Week, while midfielder Tyler Pasher and goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel picked up Team of the Week honors, following strong performances in their first match back from injury.
“I’m happy because I’ve been trying so hard to get my goals and help the team,” said Pinho after receiving the award. “It’s special for me (to score multiple goals in a game) because it builds my confidence a lot. Every time you score, it gets you excited for the next game, so now I’m working hard this week to score even more.”
Birmingham’s Brazilian striker earned 33 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Charleston Battery midfielder Aaron Molloy and Oakland Roots SC’s Johnny Rodriguez finished tied for second on 22 percent.
In the middle of a successful first season in The Magic City, Pinho put Legion FC in front with a 51st minute goal and then later doubled his tally in the 89th. It was his first multi-goal game in USLC play this season and second overall, following his four-goal performance against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Pinho now leads Birmingham with five goals in USLC and nine across all competitions.
While the scoring grabs the headlines, Pinho also led Birmingham in total duels, winning nine of the 20 he was involved in and even had a team-high in tackles with four. His final tackle of the night forced the turnover that sprung the attack, eventually leading to Pasher’s stoppage time goal to solidify the final score line.
After a three-match absence, Pasher made the most of his 22-minute cameo with an assist on Pinho’s second goal before later taking matters into his own hands. Van Oekel marked his return after missing the last seven matches with four saves and his fourth clean sheet of the season.
This week marks the ninth this season that a Legion FC player has received Team of the Week honors. Defender Derek Dodson was recognized for Week 19, with Pasher, Alex Crognale and Dawson McCartney in Week 16, followed by AJ Paterson and Pasher again in Week 13. Enzo Martinez was named to both the Week 10 and 9 teams, with Kobe Hernandez-Foster in Week 6 and Van Oekel in Week 1.
The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 21
GK – Triston Henry, Memphis 901 FC – The Canadian shot-stopper had a stellar debut for 901 FC as he produced a five-save shutout in the side’s 1-0 victory against San Antonio FC to solidify a top-four place in the Western Conference.
D – Abdi Mohamed, New Mexico United: The Somalian international notched one assist and completed 40 of 49 passes overall while recording two clearances, two blocked shots and one interception in United’s victory against rival El Paso Locomotive FC.
D – Frank Nodarse, Rhode Island FC: The Cuban center back delivered a stellar defensive display as he won 5 of 5 tackles and 11 of 14 duels while making four interceptions and nine recoveries in Rhode Island’s 2-1 victory against North Carolina FC.
D – Shawn Smart, Las Vegas Lights FC: The 20-year-old right back scored his second goal of the season, won 2 of 2 tackles and 7 of 14 duels, and made two interceptions and five clearances as the Lights continued their undefeated streak with a 1-1 draw at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
M – Aaron Molloy, Charleston Battery: The Irish midfielder recorded a pair of assists across 133 minutes in two games before suffering an injury against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night having completed 88 of 103 passes and recorded six chances created.
M – Luis Felipe Fernandes, Sacramento Republic FC: Fernandes put in an immense defensive display in the center of midfield, winning 6 of 6 tackles, 9 of 12 aerial duels and 17 of 29 duels overall – second-most by an individual in the Championship in a game this season – to help Sacramento to a 1-0 road win against Detroit City FC.
M – Samuel Careaga, Memphis 901 FC: The Argentine scored the only goal of the game as 901 FC squared its season series with San Antonio FC and completed 32 of 39 passes and recorded nine recoveries and four clearances in a solid all-around display.
M – Aiden McFadden, Louisville City FC: The recent acquisition from Atlanta United notched another pair of assists in LouCity’s 4-1 victory against Monterey Bay F.C. and won 6 of 9 duels while completing 18 of 23 passes overall at Lynn Family Stadium.
F – Stefano Pinho, Birmingham Legion FC: The Brazilian veteran scored a pair of goals in Legion’s 3-0 victory against Orange County SC and completed 14 of 16 passes while notching two chances created, winning 5 of 5 tackles and 8 of 14 ground duels.
F – Greg Hurst, New Mexico United: Hurst scored the opening goal and had four shots and three chances created while completing 27 of 31 passes and 2 of 3 dribbles in United’s 2-1 victory against Derby Del Camino Real rival El Paso Locomotive FC.
F – Johnny Rodriguez, Oakland Roots SC: Rodriguez recorded a goal and assist, had three shots and two chances created and completed 25 of 30 passes in Oakland’s 2-1 win against Miami FC while also winning 8 of 12 duels.
Coach – Tom Soehn, Birmingham Legion FC: Soehn’s squad produced an impressive second-half display to pull away for a 3-0 victory against Orange County SC, posting 11 shots on target overall and seven Big Chances for an Expected Goals mark of 2.53xG.
Bench: Matt Van Oekel (BHM), Jared Timmer (SAC), Emmanuel Samadia (HFD), Nate Worth (TBR), Zach Zandi (COS), Daniel Bruce (NM), Tyler Pasher (BHM)