Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union midfielder Ilsinho was voted MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR), the league announced Tuesday. Ilsinho recorded his first-ever MLS goal in the 37th minute against D.C. United on Saturday. Then just minutes after halftime, he added his second on a thunderous volley to put the game out of reach, 3-0. It’s the third time a Philadelphia Union player has won the award in 2016, as Chris Pontius and Roland Alberg also took honors this year.
Ilsinho, 30, signed with Philadelphia Union on Feb. 24, 2016 as a free transfer. Coming from Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, Ilsinho won five league titles as well as six domestic cups during his tenure there. The Brazilian attacking midfielder has played in UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League and the Olympics. In 2016, Ilsinho has now played in 14 games, started eight and scored two goals with one assist for Philadelphia Union.
He opened his MLS account in the 37th minute against D.C. United on Saturday, converting a penalty kick that the midfielder drew after a strong run into the box. He perfectly placed his attempt past a diving Bill Hamid, tucking it into the left corner for a 2-0 lead (watch).
Ilsinho then put the game away in the 47th minute, blistering a volley from C.J. Sapong into the top left corner of the net (watch) for a 3-0 lead. The goal was nominated for AT&T Goal of the Week. Since returning from injury after the Copa America break, Ilsinho has now started six of the team’s seven games, including four consecutive league matches.
Ilsinho is the third Union player to win the league’s weekly award this season, marking the first time in franchise history the club has three winners in one season. He is also just the sixth different player to win the award in the club’s seven-year history. He joins Chris Pontius (2016), Roland Alberg (2016), Jack McInenery (2013), Justin Mapp (2011), and Sebastien Le Toux (twice in 2010).
The Union sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind NYCFC, but with a game in hand, and are tied for fourth in the Supporters’ Shield race (29 points, 8-6-5 record). They return to action against New York Red Bulls on Sunday, July 17 at Talen Energy Stadium. The match will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1.
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.
