PORTLAND, Ore. – PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers defender Alvas Powell was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 7 of the 2018 MLS season, it was announced today, marking the first time the defender has earned the recognition. Powell received Player of the Week honors after tallying a goal and an assist in the Timbers’ 3-2 win over Minnesota United FC at Providence Park on April 14.
With the Timbers playing their first home game of the 2018 season, Powell, 23, scored Portland’s first goal at Providence Park in 2018 when he found the back of the net in the 21st minute of play. Receiving a pass from defender Larrys Mabiala on the far right side of the field, Powell cut back inside with the ball, powering his way past several Minnesota United defenders, before driving home a strong effort at the near post to give the Timbers a 1-0 lead in the first half.
Two minutes later, Powell played a key role in midfielder Diego Valeri’s goal that doubled the Timbers’ lead. Controlling the ball deep inside Minnesota United’s half, Powell curled a cross into the box that found its way to Valeri at the near post, with the midfielder cleverly flicking the ball past goalkeeper Matt Lampson in the 23rd minute.
The performance marked the second time in Powell’s career that the defender has recorded a goal and an assist in the same match, with Powell previously tallying a goal and an assist in Portland’s contest against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 7, 2014.
The Alcatel MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the NASR and apply to join at https://www.facebook.com/soccerreporters/.
The Timbers will return to league play this weekend when the team plays host to New York City FC on Sunday, April 22. Beginning at 3 p.m. (Pacific), Sunday’s match will be televised nationally on FS1 with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
