Player of the Matchday

LAFC attacker Carlos Vela named MLS Player of the Week

As far as individual performances went in MLS Week 2, the best was truly saved for last. 


After starring in LAFC's 4-1 win over the Portland Timbers with a goal and two assists in the final game of the weekend, Carlos Vela has been named MLS Player of the Week for Week 2 of the 2019 MLS season.


Vela's first assist came courtesy fantastic set-piece delivery on a corner kick, with a quality header from Mark-Anthony Kaye to match. In the second half with his side up 2-1, Vela helped create the insurance goal. He delivered an inch-perfect first-time low cross straight to Adama Diomande's foot for a tap-in. 


Minutes later Diomande turned provider, springing Vela to tuck a finesse shot into the bottom corner, truly putting the game out of reach at 4-1. He also had four key passes, five successful dribbles and three fouls won. 


It's a great start to the season for Vela and LAFC, who have now picked up back-to-back wins against Western Conference rivals to start the season. Vela in hungry for more. 


“Every day I try to be a better player, better teammate, and in the end, I’m working to be the MVP of the league,” Vela said after the match. “If I want to do that I have to show every game how good I am.”


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.