PITTSBURGH (April 10, 2018) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC forward Neco Brett has been named USL Player of the Week after his dazzling seven-point performance, including his first career professional hat trick, in the club’s 4-nil victory over Toronto FC II this past Saturday.
According to the USL, Brett received 45 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Louisville City FC defender Paco Craig finished second with 35 percent, while Real Monarchs SLC goalkeeper Connor Sparrow was third with 15 percent.
Scoreless after the first 45 minutes of play against Toronto, Brett helped the Hounds breakthrough in the 52nd minute with the club’s first tally of the 2018 season. He followed with goals in the 59th and 83rd minutes before capping off the scoring by assisting on Christiano François’ goal in the 88th minute.
The hat trick, coming in the span of 31 minutes – the fastest in club history eclipsing José Angulo’s 39-minute effort – marked the fourth ever by a Hounds player in the current era of the USL (since 2011) and the first since Rob Vincent against Wilmington on Aug. 1, 2015.
In addition, Brett is the first Hounds player to be tabbed USL Player of the Week since Corey Hertzog captured the honor after the 2017 season opener in March. The Kingston, Jamaica native currently stands tied for fourth in the league in goals scored with three.
Riverhounds SC looks to continue its strong start to the season this weekend, hosting Ottawa Fury FC at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 14 at Highmark Stadium. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive special co-branded Hounds-FC Schalke koozies. Tickets to the match are still available and can be found by visiting www.riverhounds.com.
For more information on the USL Team of the Week for Week 4, visit USLsoccer.com.
