Union’s Pontius Named Player of the Week

Report From Philadelphia Union

CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union midfielder Chris Pontius was voted MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR), the league announced Friday. Pontius had a goal and an assist during Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Columbus Crew SC. It’s the first time a Philadelphia Union player has won the award since Jack McInerney in 2013 (Week 8).

For Pontius, 29, it’s the fourth time he’s won the award. He won it in three consecutive seasons (2010-12), with his last coming in Week 7 of the 2012 season. Acquired via trade from D.C. United during the offseason, Pontius has quickly become a dynamic member of the club, starting all 14 games so far this season. He already has five goals and four assists in 2016, the most he’s had in either category since the 2012 season in which Pontius was selected to the AT&T MLS All-Star Game.

On Wednesday, Pontius leveled the score in the 21st minute for his third goal this season against Columbus, and his fifth overall. Along the left sideline, Pontius took a pass from Sebastien Le Toux near the corner of the 18 and quickly cut inside before blasting a shot past Crew SC goalkeeper Steve Clark. (Watch Goal). The goal was also a nominee for AT&T Goal of the Week.

Pontius then helped the Union take a definitive lead in the 57th minute, as he outmuscled a defender along the sideline to make a run towards the box, drawing defenders in the process. He then found Vincent Nogueira at the top of the box whose deflected shot landed in the net for a 2-1 Union lead (Watch Assist).

The Union sit in first place in the Eastern Conference and is fourth in the Supporters’ Shield race (23 points, 6-3-5 record). After a two-week Copa America Centenario break, they’ll return to action against City Islanders FC on Wednesday, June 15 at Talen Energy Stadium for the Fourth Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The club returns to action in MLS play against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, June 18.

The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.