Johnny Russell and Sporting Kansas City are rolling — and picking up some awards along the way.
On Tuesday, Russell was voted the Alcatel MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 8 after his hat trick propelled SKC to a 6-0 shellacking of Vancouver on Friday.
The 28-year-old Scottish forward gave SKC an early advantage in the 10th minute, receiving a pass from Roger Espinoza just inside the box and one-timing a shot through a defender’s legs and into the back of the net. Just six minutes later, he put his team up 2-0 with an impressive run into the box followed by a right-footed shot that snuck inside the near post.
Russell completed his hat trick just after halftime, sending a chip shot over Vancouver goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic from a tough angle, helping to seal SKC’s season-best seven-game unbeaten streak.
Over eight starts this season, Russell ranks tied for second in the league with five goals as Sporting Kansas City has shot out to the top of the Western Conference with a 5-1-2 overall record. They return to action Saturday to face the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium (7:30 pm ET | Full TV & streaming info).
The Alcatel 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.
