Squad’s New Netminder Made Five Saves in Helping Indy Earn Rivalry Draw on Saturday
TAMPA/INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, March 29, 2022) – The USL Championship announced its Team of the Week for Week 3 of the 2022 regular season this afternoon, a list that included Indy Eleven goalkeeper Elliot Panicco. The 25-year-old netminder is the first member of Indiana’s Team to make the league’s weekly Best XI ledger during the young season.
Panicco earned the nod by making five saves throughout Indy Eleven’s 1-1 draw at archrival and Eastern Conference leader Louisville City FC last Saturday night, helping the squad to a well-earned first point of the campaign.
The native of Paducah, Ky., who joined Indy Eleven on loan from MLS’ Nashville SC just prior to the start of the regular season on March 3, currently ranks tied for second across the USL Championship with 11 saves, which have contributed to his 73.3 save percentage and a 1.33 goals against average in his three starts thus far. 2022 marks Panicco’s second straight year in the Championship and comes on the heels of a standout 2021 campaign with Austin Bold FC, when he finished second in the league with 11 shutouts from his 28 appearances.
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. Continue below to see the full Week 3 Team of the Week contingent.
Panicco and the rest of the Boys in Blue return to the Circle City for their 2022 Home Opener at IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium this Saturday, April 2, against LA Galaxy II. Fans can secure tickets for that 7:30 p.m. kickoff and all 2022 matches at “The Mike” via a plethora of ticketing avenues – including single-game tickets, 2022 Season Ticket Memberships, discounted group tickets for parties of 10 or more, and expanded Premium Hospitality options – by visiting indyeleven.com/tickets or calling 317-685-1100 during regular business hours.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 3
GK – Elliot Panicco, Indy Eleven: Panicco recorded five saves as Indy withstood strong pressure from LIPAFC rival Louisville City FC to earn a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at Lynn Family Stadium and the side’s first point of the season.
D – Gabriel Torres, FC Tulsa: Torres recorded the assist on Tulsa’s game-winning goal against San Diego Loyal SC on Wednesday night, and over the week won 15 of 27 duels, made nine interceptions and 10 clearances across two games.
D – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC: The two-time Championship All-League selection scored the equalizer for LouCity against Indy Eleven on Saturday, highlighting a strong overall display that saw him record three interceptions and 12 recoveries while completing 60 of 78 passes.
D – Matt Mahoney, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Mahoney played a key role in Colorado Springs recording a second consecutive shutout, winning 7 of 9 duels and making 13 recoveries while completing 43 of 54 passes in a 2-0 win on the road at Birmingham Legion FC.
M – Alejandro Guido, San Diego Loyal SC: The San Diego native scored the decisive goal in SD Loyal’s 3-2 win on the road at Phoenix Rising FC and had a big midfield performance overall completing 61 of 72 passes and winning 12 of 15 duels.
M – Cam Lindley, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Lindley helped run the show as Colorado Springs made its best start to a season with a third consecutive win, recording six chances created, winning 6 of 6 duels and making 10 recoveries.
M – Maxi Rodriguez, Detroit City FC: Rodriguez played a decisive role in turning the game in DCFC’s favor in the second half of a 1-1 draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday, scoring from the penalty spot in addition to completing 49 of 61 passes and winning 12 of 15 duels.
M – Taylor Davila, LA Galaxy II: Davila scored the only goal as Los Dos took a 1-0 win against Rio Grande Valley FC on Wednesday night, and had a standout game otherwise, completing 41 of 45 passes and recording 10 recoveries overall.
F – Jackson Conway, Atlanta United 2: Conway recorded the first hat trick of the 2022 Championship season and notched an assist in Atlanta’s 4-1 victory against the Charleston Battery on Sunday night, and in turn recorded the 100th hat trick in the Championship’s regular season.
F – Chase Boone, Monterey Bay F.C.: Boone scored his first two goals in the Championship to help Monterey Bay F.C. claim its first league victory in club history with a 3-2 result against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday.
F – Danny Trejo, Las Vegas Lights FC: Trejo recorded two goals and two assists on Wednesday night as Las Vegas took a wild 5-4 victory on the road against El Paso Locomotive FC, becoming only the 12th player in Championship history to achieve such a feat.
Bench – Eric Lopez (LA), Hugh Roberts (MB), Collin Martin (SD), Jeremy Kelly (MEM), Hadji Barry (COS), Jake LaCava (TBR), Douglas Martinez Jr. (SAC)