San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Vako Tuesday was voted the Major League Soccer player of the week by the North American Soccer Reporters.
San Jose defeated FC Dallas, 3-1, at Toyota Stadium Saturday, with Vako scoring a brace to hand Dallas its first home loss of the season. In 21 games this regular season, Vako has scored six goals and recorded four assists. The Quakes hold a 3-12-7 record (16 points), but maintain a 2-2-1 mark in matches in which Vako scores a goal.
The Georgia international midfielder gave the Quakes a lead in the 19th minute when he collected a well-weighted pass down the left flank from Shea Salinas to escape goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez outside the box. Vako cutback to beat a defender before slotting the finish into the bottom right corner (Watch Goal).
In the 88th minute, Vako put the match out of reach when he capitalized on Chris Wondolowski’s precise cross from the end line, finishing with an easy tap-in from close range for a 3-1 San Jose lead (Watch Goal).
San Jose returns to action to face the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Saturday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
The MLS player of the week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men’s soccer in the United States and Canada.