FC Edmonton's Lance Laing Named NASL Player of the Week
Published on August 25, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release
NEW YORK (August 25, 2014) - FC Edmonton's Lance Laing was named North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week on Monday after stealing the show in his team's 2-1 win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers this past weekend. The Jamaican international, who moved from his usual left back position to occupy the midfield on Sunday, scored the game-winner and added an assist to help FC Edmonton earn three points and leapfrog four teams in the NASL Fall Standings.
"Who doesn't want to score goals, get assists, and have fans chanting your name? I always attack when I play left back, so when I'm in the midfield, I can do some good things," Laing said. "We're gaining momentum as a team, and going forward we expect nothing less than getting points."
Laing, who picks up his first ever NASL Player of the Week honor, notched his fifth assist of the year in the 33rd minute, finding midfielder Ritchie Jones for a well-taken finish from the middle of the penalty area.
After getting an earlier shot denied by Strikers goalkeeper David Meves, Laing scored his fourth goal of the year in the 72nd minute after receiving a pass from forward Chad Burt. The Trelawny, Jamaica native took a touch and buried a shot past Meves to give the Eddies a 2-0 lead.
The Strikers cut the lead in half with four minutes remaining, however, FC Edmonton held on for the 2-1 victory, putting an end to the Strikers' five-game unbeaten streak.
"We moved Lance from left full back, his normal position, into a wide left midfield position in the last game of the Spring Season and he has taken to it like a duck to water," said FC Edmonton Head Coach Colin Miller. "His work rate over the last few games has been fantastic, and he's been a bit of a revelation for us in that wide area. He says he's enjoying his football at the moment, and long may that continue."
Laing, who has represented Jamaica at the youth and senior national team levels, signed with FC Edmonton in the 2013 offseason. Last season, he played 24 games for the Canadian side, scoring once and tallying two assists from the backline.
Prior to joining FC Edmonton, Laing spent two NASL seasons (2011-2012) with Fort Lauderdale, where he made 44 appearances. He began his career in his native country, playing for Harbour View FC. While at the club, he was part of two JNPL (Jamaican National Premier League) Championship Teams in 2007 and 2010. Laing then spent the 2010-2011 JNPL campaign with Village United FC.
North American Soccer League Stories from August 25, 2014
- FC Edmonton's Lance Laing Named NASL Player of the Week - NASL
- FCE Laing Earns League Player of the Week Honours - FC Edmonton
- Game-Winners from Laing, Shipalane, and Ubiparipovic Highlight Week - NASL
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