VANCOUVER, BC – Major League Soccer (MLS) announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Camilo Sanvezzo has been named the league's Player of the Week for Week 32. Camilo, who is second in MLS with 18 goals, wins his third Player of the Week award of the season after a sensational performance in a 2-2 draw against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers on Sunday. The Brazilian notched both goals for the ‘Caps, including a spectacular scissor kick that many are already calling MLS Goal of the Year.
Vancouver lead MLS with five Player of the Week awards this year, while Camilo becomes the first player in the league to win the award three times this season. Striker Kenny Miller took home the honour in Week 16 before Camilo’s first award of the season came in Week 17, followed by goalkeeper Brad Knighton collecting the prize in Week 19, and then Camilo again in Week 20.
With the ‘Caps down a goal to the Timbers in the second half on Sunday, Camilo brought the home fans to their feet with two superb goals in a thrilling three-minute span.
First, on 76 minutes, the in-form striker hit a 30-yard free kick into the bottom corner to bring the match level at 1-1. Portland retook the lead just a minute later on a quick strike from Will Johnson, but a minute after that Camilo was back at it again. After a ball played over top of the box by Darren Mattocks, Young-Pyo Lee centred back on a one-time volley to Camilo, who acrobatically leaped and struck a picture-perfect scissor kick into the bottom corner to earn the ‘Caps a 2-2 draw. The incredible play is nominated for MLS Goal of the Week and is sure to be a contender for the league’s best goal of the season.
With his third Player of the Week honour, Camilo adds to a fine season which also saw him named MLS Player of the Month in July while being selected to the 2013 MLS All-Star Game. The 5-foot-7 magician set-up the MLS All-Stars only goal of the July 31 match with a well-taken free kick that was headed home by LA Galaxy centre back Omar Gonzalez.
This is the fourth all-time Player of the Week nod for Camilo, as he was also handed the award following a two goal, one assist performance against Sporting Kansas City at Empire Field during Vancouver's inaugural MLS campaign in 2011.
The Blue and White face a short turn-around this week as they return to action on Wednesday, October 9. The ‘Caps travel across the border for their final Cascadia Cup match of 2013 against rivals Seattle Sounders FC. Kickoff at CenturyLink Field is at 7 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on TSN2. Fans can also listen live on TEAM 1410 radio and teamradio.ca.
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. More information and membership information can be found at soccerreporters.com.
