USL League One announced the Team of the Week for Week 13 of the 2022 regular season with Chattanooga Red Wolves SC forward Juan Galindrez named Player of the Week. Galindrez’s midweek hat trick guided Chattanooga to its largest win in club history, and the Colombian forward added a fourth goal to his impressive week on Saturday night against FC Tucson.
In the first-time meeting between Chattanooga and Charlotte, the Red Wolves exploded for a 7-1 thumping in a match that broke the records for most goals scored in a single match in League One history, widest margin of victory in league history and most goals scored in a single match in the 44-year history of professional soccer in Tennessee.
“It was a match that turned out magnificently,” Juan Galindrez said after Chattanooga’s 7-1 win against Charlotte.
“Seven goals at home and we earned it. From the very first minute, I was determined to score. I was honestly hoping to score four because I’m always ready to give more. God gifted me three goals and I’m very happy to score my first hat trick for the Red Wolves.”
Galindrez – who became Chattanooga’s all-time leading scorer earlier this season against Fuego FC on May 14 – recorded his first professional hat trick and the league’s 14th overall in the 7-1 thrashing. His 37-minute hat trick also serves as the third quickest in league history behind Ronaldo Damus’ 18-minute hat trick for North Texas SC on June 12, 2019 and Greg Hurst’s 26- minute hat trick for Union Omaha on June 13, 2021. “We had to win, and we had to win at home,” Chattanooga Head Coach Jimmy Obleda said after the win. “We’ve given up too many points in the last few matches, so we set an expectation that we won’t lose any more points at home. That mentality was the starting point for us at training over the last few days and we certainly took it to heart.”
Defender – Timmy Mehl, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Conceding just two goals during the 124 minutes he was on the pitch in Week 13, Mehl registered six clearances and two blocks while winning 10 of 13 ground and aerial duels and creating a pair of chances.
Midfielder – Rafa Mentzingen, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Contributing to Chattanooga’s record breaking victory over Charlotte on Wednesday, Mentzingen registered a sensational chipped goal and dished out two assists. The Brazilian tested the opposing ‘keepers with five of his six shots landing on target.
Midfielder – Rey Ortiz, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Recording a goal and assist in the same match for the first time in his four-year professional career, Ortiz also created six chances and won three fouls across two Week 13 matches.
Forward – Juan Galindrez, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Galindrez propelled the Red Wolves to its largest-ever victory as the Colombian forward recorded a hat trick in a 7-1 victory over Charlotte. Following his masterful performance on Wednesday, Galindrez recorded his fourth of the week against FC Tucson on Saturday.