Real Salt Lake Forward Joao Plata Voted Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month
Published on March 31, 2016 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK - Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata was voted Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month by fans on MLSsoccer.com for the month of March of the 2016 MLS season.
The 24-year-old Ecuadorian has established himself as the focal point of RSL's attack, leading the team with three goals and two assists through three matches. With a 1-0-2 record, RSL is only one of three teams in the league to remain undefeated.
Plata began his 2016 campaign with a brace in RSL's 2-2 draw at Orlando City SC on March 6, with his first goal of the season coming in a 26th minute penalty kick to give RSL the early lead (Watch Goal). In the 66th minute, Plata sat near post, sending teammate Tony Beltran's cross into the back of the net for his second tally of the match (Watch Goal).
A week later, Plata's heroics lifted RSL to a 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC with two assists in the Claret-and-Cobalt's home opener on March 12. Down a goal just before the half, Plata sent a beautiful corner kick directly to the penalty spot for an equalizing header by Sunday Stephen in the 43rd minute (Watch Assist). Moments before the end of the match, Plata recorded his second assist of the game in the 86th minute, sending a free kick to the left side of the box to teammate Juan Manuel Martinez, whose cross found Jamison Olave for the game-winning header (Watch Assist).
In yet another positive result for RSL, Plata led helped the club to a key 2-2 draw on the road against defending MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers on March 19. Plata got on the board in the 16th minute, sending a stunning free kick from just outside the box over a wall of defenders and into the top left corner of the net for his third goal of the season (Watch Goal).
Real Salt Lake returns to MLS action on Saturday when it travels to take on Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS LIVE).
Voting for MLS Player of the Month presented by Etihad is open to public. The five final nominees are chosen by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff.
March Voting Results
Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata - 38.54%
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake - 22.82%
Montreal Impact midfielder Ignacio Piatti - 18.35%
FC Dallas midfielder Mauro Diaz - 10.34%
Houston Dynamo forward Will Bruin - 9.94%
Major League Soccer Stories from March 31, 2016
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- Columbus Crew SC Extends Cable Television Distribution Reach into Toledo and Sandusky - Columbus Crew SC
- New York City FC Partners with Sabra - New York City FC
- Real Salt Lake Forward Joao Plata Voted Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month - MLS
- Chris Henderson and Ante Razov Announced as Nominees for National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2016 - Seattle Sounders FC
- Joao Plata Voted Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month - Real Salt Lake
- OCB to Host Charleston Battery on Friday - Orlando City SC
- MLS Issues Disciplinary Committee Decisions: Week 4 - MLS
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