Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almirón was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 13th week of the 2017 MLS season. Almirón, who won the award for the second-straight week for the first time in MLS since Sebastian Giovinco did in Weeks 13-14 in 2015, scored two goals during Atlanta’s 3-1 win over New York City FC and recorded his third multi-goal game of the season.
The 23-year-old Paraguayan Designated Player opened the scoring in the 16th minute against New York. Tito Villalba played a through ball to Julian Gressel along the right side of the penalty box, and the German rookie cut the ball back from the touchline to find Almirón alone in front of goal. Almirón settled the ball before blasting a left-footed shot past NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
Atlanta’s No. 10 tallied Atlanta’s third goal in seven minutes in the 23nd minute. Gressel chased down a long-ball from Jeff Larentowicz on the right side, shrugged off a defender and again found a streaking Almirón, who calmly one-touched the cross into the net. Almirón has now scored seven goals, which is tied for fourth-most in MLS, and added four assists on the season.
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. This is the third time an Atlanta United player has won the award this season, as Almirón has won in back-to-back weeks and forward Josef Martinez won in Week 2.
Atlanta United returns to action on Saturday, June 3 in Vancouver where they will face the Whitecaps at BC Place. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. EST and the match will be televised on FOX Sports Southeast.
