Fury FC Forward Tom Heinemann Named NASL Player of the Week
Published on September 29, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
Ottawa Fury FC Forward Tom Heinemann
(Ottawa Fury FC)
OTTAWA, ON - Fury FC swept all three matches of a grueling 8-day road trip to claim top spot in the NASL. After a win over Fort Lauderdale ten days ago, Ottawa scored crucial wins in New York and Carolina extending their NASL record road unbeaten streak to an impressive nine games. Tom Heinemann helped lead the charge scoring three goals in the final two games of the road trip while also showing his commitment to the team's defensive play. On Tuesday, the North American Soccer League named Heinemann NASL Player of the Week.
"This past week was an entire team effort and every person on our squad deserves credit for that," Tom Heinemann said of the honour bestowed upon him by the NASL. "I give glory and honor to the Lord in everything I do and am excited as we approach the final stretch of the season."
In New York, it was a Tom Heinemann cross that Cosmos captain Carlos Mendes inadvertently redirected into his own goal that gave Ottawa a 3-1 lead. A minute later, Heinemann ensured his name would get on the score sheet when he broke in behind the defence to scoring his fifth of the season to put that game out of reach at 4-1. The hulking striker continued his scoring ways on Saturday scoring a pair in the 3-1 win over Carolina. Heinemann muscled his way past a pair of RailHawks defenders to earn the opening goal of the match and fourteen minutes later he beat keeper Akira Fitzgerald for the second time with a well-placed shot on a breakaway.
"Tom has had a fantastic run in the Fall Season. Things didn't start well for him in the beginning of the year, but he was willing to change things in his game and become more of a complete player," said head coach Marc Dos Santos. "He's worked with a lot of character and integrity and fully deserves to be named Player of the Week."
Heinemann's three goals helped him set a new personal best with Fury FC. Now with 7 goals on the year to go along with 4 assists, the St. Louis, MO native has tied the club record for goals in a season set by Brazilian striker Oliver last year. After scoring just once in the Spring Season, Heinemann has 16 points (6 goals, 4 assists) in the Fall Season and has factored in on more than half of his team's 29 goals in the second half of the season.
Ottawa tied an NASL record Saturday recording their sixth straight road victory and extending their NASL record unbeaten streak to nine matches (6W-3D-0L). Unbeaten in their last seven matches overall, Ottawa remains atop of the Fall Season standings, a post they've held since July 22, with a five-point lead over Minnesota United FC who are unbeaten in their last nine matches. Fury FC are now also the top team in the NASL Combined standings thanks to Saturday's win holding a two-point edge over both Minnesota and New York with five games remaining in the NASL regular season.
Fury FC return to TD Place to prepare for another chapter in the All-Canadian derby facing FC Edmonton Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm. Tickets to this match and the final home match of the regular season (October 18) are available at OttawaFuryFC.com.
Images from this story
 Ottawa Fury FC Forward Tom Heinemann |
North American Soccer League Stories from September 29, 2015
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- Ottawa Fury FC Forward Tom Heinemann Named NASL Player of the Week - NASL
- Fury FC Forward Tom Heinemann Named NASL Player of the Week - Ottawa Fury FC
- McKenzie's 1st Goal Nominated for Play of the Week - Atlanta Silverbacks
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