NEW YORK – On the San Francisco Deltas’ longest road trip of the season, midfielder Kyle Bekker tallied twice to help his club earn a 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico FC at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, P.R. Saturday night.
For his two-goal performance, Bekker was named North American Soccer League player of the week.
The win in Puerto Rico kept the Deltas unbeaten away from home in their inaugural season.
A native of Oakville, Ontario, Bekker scored a goal in each half Saturday night, following up an early long-distance strike from teammate Kenny Teijsse. In the 31st minute, he took a pass from forward Michael Stephens, cut inside on his left foot, and unleashed a low shot that beat goalkeeper Austin Pack at the near post.
After Puerto Rico pulled a goal back through Honduran international Jairo Puerto, Bekker made it 3-1 in the 69th minute with a sensational strike from more than 30 yards. The 26-year-old midfielder fired a laser into the top corner after a pass from teammate Tyler Gibson.
The result preserved San Francisco’s unbeaten road record, which stands at 3-0-3. The Deltas have been stellar in their first season, sitting in third place through 11 games and seven points off the pace of league-leading Miami FC.
This week’s player of the week honor marks Bekker’s second of the season. The Canadian midfielder, who has appeared 18 times for his country’s national team, has recorded either a goal or an assist in four of his last six games in all competitions.
Beginning in 2013, the former Boston College standout played four seasons in Major League Soccer – with Toronto FC, FC Dallas, and Montreal Impact – before signing with the Deltas prior to this season.
Bekker and the Deltas have a big week ahead. First, San Francisco will visit its Bay Area counterpart, the San Jose Earthquakes, in fourth-round Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup action Wednesday. Three days later, the club will return home to host FC Edmonton at Kezar Stadium Saturday night.
