Goal.com's MLS Player Of Week 15: Seattle Sounders FC's Nate Jaqua

Nate Jaqua is Goal.com's Major League Soccer player of the week for matchday 15. The Seattle Sounders FC striker struck twice and notched an assisted as the expansion team crushed the visiting Colorado Rapids 3-0.

“Jaqua overpowered the Rapids defenders and came close several times to miss out on that elusive third goal,” said Seattle correspondent John Zielonka, who was at Qwest Field to witness the performance.

Jaqua plays the furthest most advanced point in the Sounders attack and is charged with bringing Freddie Ljungberg and Fredy Montero into play. A tough physical player, he holds up the ball well and battles for 90 minutes, though can sometimes hit goal droughts. A brace against Colorado took his season tally to six.

“Jaqua has turned into one of the best forwards in MLS,” said associate editor Allen Ramsey. “When he's on the Sounders are incredibly hard to deal with.”

Second in the voting was teammate Fredy Montero, as the Sounders attack lit up the Rapids. The Colombian assisted both Jaqua's goals and scored one himself in the route. As the Sounders keep within touching distance of Western Conference leaders the Houston Dynamo, Montero's brilliance on the ball is a big component to it.

“Great vision on the ball and and excellent touch have really stood out for Montero this year, and he has been the driving force behind why Seattle have been so good this year,” explained associate editor Shane Evans.

Real Salt Lake's Yura Movsisyan was the other player to receive votes.

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