Kevin Molino is enjoying a career season with Minnesota United. (Photo courtesy of MLS)
NEW YORK – Minnesota United FC midfielder Kevin Molino Tuesday was voted the Major League Soccer player of the week by the North American Soccer Reporters.
Molino assisted and scored the game-winner in a come-from-behind 3-2 Minnesota victory over Atlanta United last Tuesday, handing Atlanta its first home loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season.
With Minnesota sitting ninth in the Western Conference (10-16-6, 36 points), the 27-year-old has posted seven goals and a career-high nine assists this season, with the club securing a 6-2-3 record when Molino has scored or assisted in a match.
Last week against Atlanta, Molino opened the scoring for the Loons when he collected the ball in midfield and threaded a pass between two Atlanta defenders to set up Abu Danladi’s goal to make it 1-0 in the 48th minute.
Following a back-and-forth contest that saw the teams even the scoreline in stoppage time, Molino’s heroics proved to be the difference maker. The Trinidad and Tobago national teamer made a late run into the box when Jerome Thiesson crossed in a curler from the left wing in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. Molino perfectly headed the ball low and into the back of the net to give Minnesota a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Minnesota United FC returns to action to take on the LA Galaxy at StubHub Center Sunday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS LIVE).
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.