Richie Laryea had a big game against Columbus Sunday. (Photo courtesy of MLS)

Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea was voted the Major League Soccer player of the week for the 14th week of the MLS season.

Laryea helped Toronto to a 3-1 victory over Columbus Crew SC on Sunday at Rentschler Field behind one goal and two assists. Laryea has tallied four goals and two assists this season. Toronto is tied for second in the Eastern Conference standings with 28 points (8-2-4 record).

With Toronto trailing early in the second half, Laryea registered his first assist of the night in the 48th minute on Jozy Altidore’s shot from the top of the box to bring the match even at 1-1 (watch assist). Laryea collected his second assist of the match to give Toronto a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute when he dribbled past defenders and found an open Alejandro Pozuelo at the top of the box, who finished with a shot to the bottom right corner ( watch assist).

The 25-year-old Canada Men’s National Team standout then displayed a terrific solo effort to give Toronto a 3-1 advantage in the 76th minute. Laryea dribbled through a pair of Columbus defenders on the right side of the box and finished with a right-footed shot from a difficult angle into the back left corner (watch goal).

Toronto continues action this week on Saturday when hosting the Philadelphia Union (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+ / TSN).

The MLS player of the week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.