Álvaro Saborío really likes playing at home.
Nine of the Real Salt Lake forward's 10 goals this season have come at Rio Tinto Stadium, and his latest performance – a hat trick vs the Portland Timbers – has earned him MLS Player of the Week honors for Week 18, as voted on by the North American Soccer Reporters (see who and how the media voted here).
WATCH: Saborio puts RSL ahead for good
After going the full 90 minutes in a scoreless draw with Seattle on Wednesday, the Costa Rican international recorded the first three-goal performance of his MLS career and put an end to RSL’s four-game winless streak. Saborío was the clear favorite this week as he garnered 11 of the 16 total first-place votes and became the first player from Real Salt Lake to win the honor this season.
Philadelphia’s Michael Farfan was second after receiving three first-place votes for his role in helping the Union to consecutive wins for the first time since April. His game-winner propelled Philly past LA and he was instrumental in a threatening attack that tore apart Toronto’s defense.
2012 MLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Week 18: Álvaro Saborío (Real Salt Lake)
Week 17: Danny Koevermans (Toronto FC)
Week 16: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
Week 13-15: Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact)
Week 12: Emilio Rentería (Columbus Crew)
Week 11: Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United)
Week 10: Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution)
Week 9: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 8: Steven Lenhart (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 7: Chris Pontius (D.C. United)
Week 6: Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA)
Week 5: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Week 4: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Week 3: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Week 2: David Estrada (Seattle Sounders)
Week 1: Kalif Alhassan (Portland Timbers)
