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Portland Timbers Midfielder Sebastian Blanco Named MLS Is Back Player of the Tournament Presented by adidas

August 13, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Thursday, August 13, 2020) - Major League Soccer today announced Portland Timbers midfielder Sebastián Blanco as the MLS is Back Player of the Tournament presented by adidas.

Blanco's terrific performance pushed Portland to the MLS is Back Tournament title and a berth in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, as he tied for the lead among all players with five assists while his three goals were tied for sixth most in tournament play.

Major League Soccer and the Portland Timbers will host a media video conference today with Blanco to discuss winning the MLS is Back Player of the Tournament presented by adidas.

Blanco kicked off the tournament with an assist and the game-winning goal in Portland's 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy on July 13. Days later, Blanco contributed an assist in the Timbers 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on July 18. Blanco registered yet another assist on July 23 in a 2-2 draw against LAFC to secure the top spot in Group F.

The Argentine continued his heroics in the MLS is Back Tournament Knockout Stage presented by Audi when registering an assist and converting a penalty kick in a 1(4) -1(2) shootout victory over FC Cincinnati on July 28 in the Round-of-16. Portland was powered to a 3-1 win against New York City FC in the MLS is Back Tournament Quarterfinals with a Blanco goal and another assist. Blanco then scored the game-winning goal in Portland's 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on August 5 to secure a spot in the MLS is Back Tournament Final presented by Wells Fargo.

Of Blanco's eight combined goals and assists, one goal and three assists came in the MLS is Back Tournament Group Stage presented by Heineken and count toward the regular season. Blanco's three assists are tied for fifth in the 2020 MLS regular season entering return to play in home markets.

Blanco joined the Timbers as a Designated Player prior to the 2017 season, helping the club to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in each of his three campaigns, including an appearance in the 2018 MLS Cup. Across his three-plus years with Portland, Blanco has totaled 25 goals and 33 assists in regular season play, reaching double-digits with 11 assists in each of the past two seasons.

The MLS is Back Player of the Tournament presented by adidas award was voted on by media (weighted 75% of vote) and fans (weighted 25% of vote). Below is a breakdown of the voting results:

Player of the Tournament Media % Fan % Final %

Sebastián Blanco (POR) 49.61% 14.64% 40.86%

Nani (ORL) 33.86% 49.61% 37.54%

Diego Rossi (LAFC) 11.81% 30.16% 16.40%

Andre Blake (PHI) 3.15% 6.61% 4.01%

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