Toronto FC Defender Richie Laryea Voted MLS Player of the Week
NEW YORK
(Monday, September 28, 2020)
– Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea was voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Week for the 14
th
week of the 2020 MLS season.
Laryea helped Toronto to a 3-1 victory over Columbus Crew SC on Sunday at Rentschler Field behind one goal and two assists. Laryea has now tallied four goals and two assists this season. Toronto is tied for second in the Eastern Conference standings with 28 points (8-2-4 overall record).
With Toronto trailing early in the second half, Laryea registered his first assist of the night in the 48
th
minute on Jozy Altidore’s shot from the top of the box to bring the match even at 1-1 (
watch assist
). Laryea collected his second assist of the match to give Toronto a 2-1 lead in the 59
th
minute when he dribbled past defenders and found an open Alejandro Pozuelo at the top of the box, who finished with a shot to the bottom right corner (
watch assist
).
The 25-year-old Canada Men’s National Team standout then displayed a terrific solo effort to give Toronto a 3-1 advantage in the 76
th
minute. Laryea dribbled through a pair of Columbus defenders on the right side of the box and finished with a right-footed shot from a difficult angle into the back left corner (
watch goal
).
Toronto continues action this week on Saturday when hosting the Philadelphia Union (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+ / TSN).
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
