Chicago Fire Midfielder Nicolas Gaitan Voted MLS Player of the Week
May 13, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Major League Soccer today announced that Chicago Fire midfielder Nicolás Gaitán was voted the MLS Player of the Week for the 11th week of the 2019 MLS season.
Gaitán garnered two goals and two assists in a pair of Fire victories last week. The Fire first defeated the New England Revolution 5-0 at SeatGeek Stadium on Wednesday behind a goal and two assists from Gaitán, before capitalizing on another goal from the Argentine in a 2-0 victory over Minnesota United FC on Saturday. Gaitán has two goals and four assists in nine appearances for Chicago this season, with the club compiling a 3-0-0 record in matches where he factors into a goal. The Fire sit tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference with 16 points (4-4-4 overall record) and maintain a three-game unbeaten streak.
Gaitán assisted on two Nemanja Nikolic goals in Wednesday's victory, the first coming in the 28th minute off a free kick for a Nikolic diving header. The Fire took a 2-0 lead in the 40th minute off another Nikolic header, this time with Gaitán assisting off a corner kick. Gaitán furthered the Men in Red's lead to 4-0 in the 85th minute with a tap in counterattack goal from the Fire.
The Argentine National Team midfielder continued his scoring ways on Saturday against Minnesota, scoring the game's first goal in the 21st minute in a masterclass counterattack display from the Fire. Gaitán received a pass from Przemysław Frankowski directly in front of goal then fooled the goalkeeper with a fake to set up an empty net tap in.
The Fire return to action on Saturday when traveling to face the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium (2:30 p.m. CT, Univision / Twitter).
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.
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