Player of the Week

Player of the Week: Chavany Willis

Photo: Chavany Willis

The same old song and dance was playing out for Bethlehem Steel last Sunday.

Louisville City winger Lucky Mkosana headed home his club’s second goal of the game in the 46th minute, extending the lead to 2-0. The Steel were once again trailing at Talen Energy Stadium. Of their eight previous home games, Bethlehem managed just one win.

While the Steel couldn’t find victory against the defending USL Champions, they did manage to fight back for the 2-2 draw. It came through the heroics of PSP’s Player of the Week— Chavany Willis.

The comeback started in the 49th minute. Philadelphia Union’s Michee Ngalina, loaned to the Steel for the match, was brought down in the box after darting run behind the Kentucky club’s back line. When the referee pointed to the spot, it was Willis who stepped up.

The Jamaican delivered the perfect penalty: hard, low, and just inside of the goalkeeper’s right goalpost. Even while guessing correctly, Louisville’s Ben Lundt had no chance.

As precise as that finish was, it’s splendor was drowned by Willis’s dazzling encore.

Just five minutes later, play came to the 21-year-old inside the semi circle at the top of the box. His first touch was calming, and the bouncing ball bounced in place. His second touch was lightning, and the volley screamed into upper right netting.

The moment was nominated for USL’s Goal of the Week, and Willis was named to the league’s Team of the Week. He had won five of seven duels and made six recoveries to accompany his brace.

While those accolades are certainly rewarding, Willis will certainly be most honored by this website’s prestigious award.

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