This is Republic FC midfielder Rodrigo (RoRo) Lopez’s first Player of the Month nomination since he claimed the award in August 2022. Lopez is the third Republic FC player to be nominated this season, joining teammates Russell Cicerone and Danny Vitiello, who was voted July’s top player. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - USL (United Soccer League) Championship announced that Republic FC midfielder Rodrigo (RoRo) Lopez was nominated for USL Championship Player of the Month for August. Voting closed online at USLChampionship.com on Sept. 9. A fan vote comprises 51% of the poll and the remainder was conducted by the USL Technical Committee and National Media Panel. 

Lopez finished August tied for the league lead with five goal contributions (two goals, three assists), adding his name to the scoresheet in each of his four appearances in August. On Aug. 2, he helped Sacramento claim its first road win over San Antonio FC with an assist on Cristian Parano's stoppage time goal. The following week, Lopez netted his 40thcareer regular season goal with the game-winner over Monterey Bay FC. 

Lopez hit another career milestone against NorCal rival Oakland Roots on Aug. 16 with a goal and an assist, making him just the fourth player in league history to record at least 40 goals and 50 assists in the regular season. Lopez closed out the month with his fifth assist of the season on Aug. 30 as he set up Khori Bennett's first goal in the team's 2-0 win over New Mexico United. 

This is Lopez's first Player of the Month nomination since he claimed the award in August 2022. He is the third Republic FC player to be up for it this season, joining teammates Russell Cicerone and Danny Vitiello, who was voted July’s top player.

There were three other August Player of the Month nominees, including the Louisville City FC’s Jansen Wilson. Wilson recorded four goals and one assist across five contests as Louisville City went undefeated in the month, averaging a goal every 107.8 minutes while posting a shot conversion rate of 30.8% and a shooting accuracy rate of 66.7%.

Also nominated was Hartford Athletic’s Kyle Edwards, who recorded three goals and one assist across five appearances, including a goal and assist in Hartford Athletic's first victory against Rhode Island FC, and averaged a goal every 63.3 minutes while posting a shooting accuracy rate of 71.4%.

The other nominee was El Paso Locomotive FC’s Gabriel Torres, who recorded two goals and two assists in five appearances as El Paso Locomotive compiled an undefeated month, ranking third in the league with 14 chances created while posting a 57.1 shooting accuracy rate on nine shots overall.

On Sept. 11, the USL Championship announced that Louisville City FC midfielder Wilson was voted the USL Championship Player of the Month.