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Goal.com's MLS Player of Week 5: Portland Timbers' Jack Jewsbury
Portland makes quite an impression on the Goal.com writers and editors in Week 5.
Apr 18, 2011 8:56:00 AM
By Andrea Canales
Jim Rogash
The MLS Player of the Week process took on a decidedly deep green hue in the 5th week of the season.
League correspondents and editors alike were impressed both by the squad and fan support in Portland's double of victories over Chicago and Dallas, respectively.
Though it was ultimately team captain Jack Jewsbury who won Player of the Week honors, striker Jorge Perlaza was lauded for his goalscoring exploits.
"Perlaza scored the first home goal for the Portland Timber at their new home in Jeld-Wen Field," noted Justin Churchill. "He had two goals Wednesday night to lead his team to a huge first MLS victory over the Chicago Fire."
Perlaza also earned plaudits from contributor John Zielonka.
"My nominee for this week's POW is Portland's Jorge Perlaza. The Colombian notched two goals earlier this week to lead the expansion Timbers to their first-ever MLS win over the Chicago Fire. Perlaza tallied the game-winning goal early in the second half and give the opening night frenzied Portland fans a night to remember."
Those passionate supporters moved another MLS writer, Stephanie Gardner, to make an unusual choice.
"My first pick, if allowed, would be the entire Timbers Army," Gardner decided. "Their support gave chills to every person watching, and infused hope to every MLS fan in America."
Yet even Gardner ultimately leaned to the winner.
"If I have to pick one player, I will stick with the Portland side of things," Gardner explained. "Jack Jewsbury had a historic week leading his team with a home-opener victory, and then following that amazing performance with another victory four days later which displayed his experience at its finest. He also joined the elite group of veterans by playing his 200th match. Jewsbury and Timber Joey (the Portland log-slicing mascot) were the highlights of this week in MLS."
Jewsbury's leadership was cited by many in the vote.
"Portland won twice this week, and it was in large part due to the play of their captain," D.C. contributor Steven Streff attested. "Jewsbury contributed with an assist and a goal against Dallas, and his overall play helped Portland kick off their campaign at Jeld-Wen Field in style."
Editor Shane Evans was a bit torn with his choice, but settled on Jewsbury in his final analysis.
"Gotta go with Jewsbury as he's the team's captain and puts in a lot of the balls that have been getting them goals this year," Evans stated. "He seems reborn with Portland after struggling to even make the field with Kansas City in recent years."
It wasn't all votes for Portland across the board, however. A New York performer picked up a vote from editor Luis Bueno.
"Luke Rodgers scored two goals in a clutch NY victory, but his assist to Thierry Henry was possibly his best contribution of the evening," Bueno claimed. "Juan Agudelo might not see much time now, thanks to Rodgers' breakthrough performance."
Keep updated with Major League Soccer by visiting Goal.com's MLS page and joining Goal.com's
page.
League correspondents and editors alike were impressed both by the squad and fan support in Portland's double of victories over Chicago and Dallas, respectively.
Though it was ultimately team captain Jack Jewsbury who won Player of the Week honors, striker Jorge Perlaza was lauded for his goalscoring exploits.
"Perlaza scored the first home goal for the Portland Timber at their new home in Jeld-Wen Field," noted Justin Churchill. "He had two goals Wednesday night to lead his team to a huge first MLS victory over the Chicago Fire."
Perlaza also earned plaudits from contributor John Zielonka.
"My nominee for this week's POW is Portland's Jorge Perlaza. The Colombian notched two goals earlier this week to lead the expansion Timbers to their first-ever MLS win over the Chicago Fire. Perlaza tallied the game-winning goal early in the second half and give the opening night frenzied Portland fans a night to remember."
Those passionate supporters moved another MLS writer, Stephanie Gardner, to make an unusual choice.
"My first pick, if allowed, would be the entire Timbers Army," Gardner decided. "Their support gave chills to every person watching, and infused hope to every MLS fan in America."
Yet even Gardner ultimately leaned to the winner.
"If I have to pick one player, I will stick with the Portland side of things," Gardner explained. "Jack Jewsbury had a historic week leading his team with a home-opener victory, and then following that amazing performance with another victory four days later which displayed his experience at its finest. He also joined the elite group of veterans by playing his 200th match. Jewsbury and Timber Joey (the Portland log-slicing mascot) were the highlights of this week in MLS."
Jewsbury's leadership was cited by many in the vote.
"Portland won twice this week, and it was in large part due to the play of their captain," D.C. contributor Steven Streff attested. "Jewsbury contributed with an assist and a goal against Dallas, and his overall play helped Portland kick off their campaign at Jeld-Wen Field in style."
Editor Shane Evans was a bit torn with his choice, but settled on Jewsbury in his final analysis.
"Gotta go with Jewsbury as he's the team's captain and puts in a lot of the balls that have been getting them goals this year," Evans stated. "He seems reborn with Portland after struggling to even make the field with Kansas City in recent years."
It wasn't all votes for Portland across the board, however. A New York performer picked up a vote from editor Luis Bueno.
"Luke Rodgers scored two goals in a clutch NY victory, but his assist to Thierry Henry was possibly his best contribution of the evening," Bueno claimed. "Juan Agudelo might not see much time now, thanks to Rodgers' breakthrough performance."
Keep updated with Major League Soccer by visiting Goal.com's MLS page and joining Goal.com's
page.
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