Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri was voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Week for Week 12 after racking up two goals and an assist in his club's 6-1 blowout victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Valeri fueled a dominant road result for the Timbers with the ninth regular season multi-goal performance of his MLS career, starting in the 25th minute when he converted a penalty kick following a handball in the penalty box on Shea Salinas.
PK GOAL: Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers - 25th minute
Valeri struck again in the 57th minute, as Diego Chara sent a pass to the top of the box, that the Argentine maestro ran onto before uncorking a right-footed shot that deflected off two San Jose defenders before settling into the back of the net.
GOAL: Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers - 57th minute
Valeri capped it off with an assist as Portland continued their onslaught deep into the second half, sending in a pinpoint corner kick that was headed home by defender Julio Cascante to extend the lead to 5-1. He now has six goals and five assists in the 2020 regular season, each mark tied for sixth-most in the league, while his combined 11 goals and assists are tied for fifth-most.
GOAL: Julio Cascante, Portland Timbers - 85th minute
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
