PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers forward Ryan Johnson was named Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 6 of the 2013 MLS season, it was announced today.
Johnson, 28, scored twice, recording the first two-goal performance of his MLS career, in the Timbers’ 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at JELD-WEN Field. He becomes the third Timbers player to win the NASR’s MLS Player of the Week and the second in consecutive weeks; captain Will Johnson received the honor in Week 5 following his two-goal performance against the Colorado Rapids on March 30.
Johnson struck for the opening goal against Houston in the 55th minute. A build-up from the back led midfielder Diego Chara down the right wing and he delivered a pinpoint cross into the box for Johnson at the back post, where Johnson one-timed his shot from close range. A leading ball from Darlington Nagbe at midfield led Johnson to his second goal of the match in the 73rd minute. Johnson broke in on goal and calmly finished by Hall from the left side of the side of the penalty area, a strike that has been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week for Week 6.
WATCH: Johnson's second goal
With three goals and one assist, Johnson is Portland’s leading scorer through the first five matches of the regular season. He is one of just seven players in MLS with multiple-goal performances this season and is tied for third in the league in goal-scoring.
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.
The Timbers play host to the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday at JELD-WEN Field at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) on NBC Sports Network, with radio broadcasts available on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.
