PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 9 of the 2016 MLS season, it was announced today.
Gleeson made his first two starts of the season during the week as the Timbers earned a 1-1 draw at New England on April 27 and a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC at Providence Park on Sunday.
Gleeson, 25, made four saves in Sunday’s win over Toronto FC, helping the Timbers extend their unbeaten streak to three matches. After the Timbers took a 2-1 lead through Diego Valeri’s free-kick goal in the 74th minute, Gleeson turned in a Save of the Week contender in the 77th minute, as Toronto FC’s Michael Bradley fired a shot from outside the box that was denied with a diving stop (Watch Save). In stoppage time, Gleeson denied a point-blank header that helped Portland secure its third home victory of the season (Watch Save).
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.
Next up, the Timbers will face Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Saturday, May 7; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific). The match against Vancouver will feature a live broadcast on KPTV FOX 12 with local radio broadcast on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
