TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One today announced the Team of the Round for Round 5 of the 2024 USL Jägermeister Cup with Richmond Kickers forward Nil Vinyals named Player of the Round presented by Konami eFootball with his fifth career brace.

In the 20th all-time meeting between former USL Championship sides Charlotte and Richmond, Vinyals helped the Kickers match Joel Johnson and Gabriel Obertan's goal and assist apiece with a first-half brace. In his 101st match as a Kicker, Vinyals elevated his total number of goal contributions to 32, positioning the Spaniard behind only Emiliano Terzaghi (60) and Matthew Delicâte (55) in the Kickers' modern era. 

"I'm happy to have contributed to the team's positive performance," Vinyals said. "We aim to maintain our momentum in the league and compete for both league and cup titles at the end of the year."

"Nil worked very hard to help us get back into the game at Charlotte with two great goals," Richmond Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky said. "His leadership is needed as we fight to get back into the playoff discussion."

Following six Round 5 matches, 10 of 12 teams are represented on the Team of the Round, while Charlotte, Northern Colorado and Omaha place multiple starters on the Team of the Round.

COACH - Darren Powell, Lexington SC: Despite a slow start to league play, the first-year Lexington gaffer has led LSC to the top of the Central Group. Overcoming a dominant Greenville performance, the former Inter Miami CF assistant guided Lexington to an important 1-0 victory against East Group-leading Triumph SC in what was Lexington's first-ever victory against the side and its third-ever road victory.

GK - Amal Knight, Lexington SC: The Jamaica international recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season across all competitions, matching his total from a year ago. Knight registered 12 recoveries and three saves in his side's 1-0 victory against Greenville.

D - Shavon John-Brown, Central Valley Fuego FC: John-Brown tallied his first assist since June 2022 for club or country in Fuego FC's 1-1 draw with Tormenta FC. The Grenada international also added seven duels won, three recoveries, two fouls earned and two tackles won.

D - Blake Malone, Union Omaha: The 2021 League One champion provided an assist on Steevan Dos Santos' second goal of the evening last Thursday. Malone completed 87% of his passes, recorded three blocks, tallied three recoveries, won three duels and created two total chances.

D - Stuart Ritchie, One Knoxville SC: Ritchie recorded the first one-goal, one-assist match of his career, contributing to both Knoxville scores in his side's massive 2-0 win against Madison. The former United States Youth National Team defender and Hannover 96 youth product completed 80% of his passes, reeled in six recoveries, won four duels and created three total chances.

M - Joel Johnson, Charlotte Independence: Charlotte's all-time appearances leader tallied just the third multi-goal-contribution match of his nine-year professional career. The Valencia CF youth product and Liberia international contributed to the Jacks' draw with one goal, one assist, a 91% passing completion rate and three duels won.

M - Stefan Lukic, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Enjoying the most productive season of his young professional career, Lukic constructed the first multi-goal-contribution match of his career with a goal and an assist against Omaha on Thursday. The former FK Partizan youth talent also added three recoveries, two duels won and two total chances created while completing 82% of his passes.

M - Gabriel Obertan, Charlotte Independence: In his 451st match as a professional, the former FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Newcastle United FC and Manchester United FC man tallied the 53rd goal and 66th assist of his illustrious 19-year career. In addition to his goal and assist - the 12th multi-goal-contribution match of his career - Obertan registered three duels won, two total chances created, two fouls won and completed 81% of his passes.

M - Bruno Rendón, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC: Rendón has maintained his improbable form, scoring his ninth goal - the match-winner against Spokane - across his last eight matches over the weekend. The Cuban led all players with his 0.60 goals added, according to American Soccer Analysis, and managed to win eight duels, tally four recoveries, create three chances and complete two dribbles.

F - Ethan Hoard, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC: The 23-year-old USL League Two alumnus has enjoyed a stellar start to his first professional season. Hoard registered a goal and an assist against Spokane - bumping up his total to 13 goal contributions across only 15 matches this season - and added three clearances and two duels won.

F - Steevan Dos Santos, Union Omaha: Captaining his side for the first time this season, Dos Santos bagged a 20-minute brace - the ninth of his career - to confirm Omaha's fourth consecutive victory against Chattanooga. The 2023 USL League One All-League Second Team forward also won eight duels, created two chances and won a pair of fouls.

F - Nil Vinyals, Richmond Kickers: The Kickers' captain has thrived in his newfound leadership role with Emiliano Terzaghi limited by injuries. Vinyals recorded the fifth brace of his professional career and contributed with an 88% passing accuracy rate, six duels won, three recoveries, three fouls won, two dribbles completed and converted Richmond's opening penalty kick of the shootout.

BENCH: Drew Romig (TRM), Haruki Yamazaki (NCO), Pedro Dolabella (OMA), Joe Gallardo (OMA), Luis Gil (SPK), Missael Rodríguez (OMA), Frank Ross (KNX)