Janssen makes history with Portland’s first-ever MLS hat trick
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers forward Vincent Janssen has been voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday, presented by Michelob ULTRA for Matchday 24 of the 2026 MLS Season. Janssen led the team to a 5-4 victory over Minnesota United FC on Saturday night at Providence Park with the club’s first-ever MLS hat trick.
In his first start for the club, Janssen etched himself into club history, becoming the first Timbers player to register a hat trick in an MLS match. His three-goal performance snapped Portland’s streak of 554 MLS games without the feat (including playoffs), as Portland became the last club in the league to achieve a hat trick in its 16th season. Notably, Janssen became just the third player in MLS history to score three or more goals in their first start.
Janssen becomes the second Timber player to be named MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob ULTRA since the start of 2024.
The MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob ULTRA is selected each matchday 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 an Instagram fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio, and online media.
Next up, The Timbers remain at home for the final game of a three-match homestand, hosting St. Louis CITY SC on Wednesday, Sep. 9. Kickoff from Providence Park is set for 7:30pm PT (TICKETS) on Apple TV in English and Spanish with local radio broadcasts on 105.1 FM/1080 AM The Fan (English) and La GranD 93.5 FM/1150AM (Spanish).
