Sporting Kansas City Forward Johnny Russell Voted Alcatel MLS Player of the Week
Published on April 24, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK - Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the eighth week of the 2018 MLS season.
Sporting KC extended its season-best unbeaten streak to seven matches with a 6-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Friday, with Russell scoring a hat trick in front of the home crowd. Over eight starts this season, the 28-year-old Russell ranks tied for second in the league with five goals scored to go along with his two assists. SKC sits atop the Western Conference and is tied for the most points in the league with a 5-1-2 overall record (17 points).
The Scotland National Team member gave Sporting KC an early advantage in the 10th minute. Receiving a pass from Roger Espinoza at the top of the box, Russell launched a right-footed shot between the defender's legs to the left side of goal to beat goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic far post. Russell would give SKC a 2-0 lead in the 16th minute with an impressive run into the box, outmaneuvering a defender with a myriad of moves before beating the keeper with a right-footed shot that snuck inside the near post.
Russell capped a career day with his third goal in the 48th minute to give SKC a 4-0 advantage. Matt Besler sent a pass into the right side of the box, with Russell collecting the ball along the goal line and sending a chip shot over Marinovic into the left side of the net. Sporting KC would then score two more goals in the second half to complete the 6-0 victory.
Sporting Kansas City returns to action on Saturday, April 28 to face the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
The Alcatel MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the NASR and apply to join at https://www.facebook.com/soccerreporters/.
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