Phoenix Rising’s Rufat Dadashov named to USL Team of the Week
Sep 16, 2020, 3:56 PM
Phoenix Rising FC forward Rufat Dadashov. (Arizona Sports/Ashley Orellana)
(Arizona Sports/Ashley Orellana)
Phoenix Rising FC forward Rufat Dadashov was named to USL Championship’s Week 12 Team of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday.
This marks the third time in which the Azerbaijani international has been named to the Team of the Week this season.
Dadashov managed to score a first-half brace and notch an assist in Phoenix Rising’s 5-1 win over Las Vegas Lights FC on Friday night.
“Rufat has been very consistent. We know every game when he goes out there what we’re going to get — it’s a big deal for us,” manager Rick Schantz told reporters on a Zoom call Tuesday.
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“One of the things that I like the most that a lot of people overlook is he’s always moving, always working defensively. He pressures every goalkeeper, he cuts off the defensive midfielder for us and allows our wingers to press. He’s extremely intelligent and he can finish so I’m happy for him, he’s deserved it.”
Scoring and helping others score. It's what Rufat Dadashov did to earn a spot on the @USLChampionship Team of the Week.#RisingTogether | #OwnThe*
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) September 15, 2020
Dadashov’s goal-scoring tally is now up to 10 on the 2020 campaign. That metric is good enough to be tied for second in the race for the Golden Boot as USL Championship’s top goalscorer.
The only player with more goals scored than Phoenix’s No. 9 this season is PRFC teammate Junior Flemmings, who sits atop the league’s scoring charts with 12.
Phoenix Rising has now had one Player of the Month, four Players of the Week and 14 total appearances on the Team of the Week through 12 weeks played this season.
The club continues to hold its first-place position atop Group B in the USL Championship standings with just four matches remaining in the regular season.
PRFC returns to action on Saturday as Phoenix hosts San Diego Loyal SC, who currently stands in second place in Group B.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be audio broadcasted live on ArizonaSports.com and on the new Arizona Sports app.
