Philadelphia Union midfielder Chris Pontius was voted MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the league’s abbreviated Week 14 schedule, it was announced on Friday.
Pontius put in a big performance in Philadelphia’s home win against Columbus on Wednesday night, tallying a goal and an assist in the Union’s 3-2 victory over Crew SC.
The 29-year-old winger pulled Philly level in the 21st minute, collecting a Sebastien Le Toux long ball at the top-left corner of the area, cutting into the middle and firing a shot from the top of the box that deflected off of a Columbus defender and found the back of the net.
He provided the assist on Vincent Nogueira’s strike that gave the Union a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute. He chased down a Fabinho through ball on the left flank, brushed past Crew SC’s Hector Jimenez and curled a cross into the area that Nogueira volleyed home.
Pontius beat out Portland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell, Seattle Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and New York City FC forward David Villa to take home the award.
Pontius and the East-leading Union are now in MLS’ Copa America Centenario break. They’ll return to action on June 15, when they’ll host USL club Harrisburg City Islanders in the fourth-round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Their next MLS match is on June 18 at New York City FC.
