VANCOUVER, BC - Major League Soccer announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Kenny Miller has been named the league's Player of the Week for Week 16. The Scottish international earned the weekly award, as voted on by North American Soccer Reporters (NASR), following an impressive performance featuring two MLS Goal of the Week nominees.
Having recently recovered from a hamstring strain, which saw him miss two months of action, the 'Caps Designated Player was the driving force behind Vancouver's 4-3 comeback victory over New England Revolution this past Saturday.
Trailing 2-0 at home after only 20 minutes, Miller turned the match around three minutes later. Young Canadian international Russell Teibert found the Scotsman in behind New England's defence on a brilliant run from the left. Before Miller was able to get a shot off, he was tripped up by Revs rookie defender Andrew Farrell in the box. The result was a red card for Farrell and penalty kick confidently converted by Miller's strike partner Camilo.
Miller, wearing the captain’s armband, continued his outstanding play on 39 minutes with a fine individual effort. Upon receiving the ball some 40 yards from goal, the experienced striker flicked it over the head of Revs defender Stephen McCarthy, headed it down to himself, and then finished with a slick left-footed strike to tie the match at 2-2.
Finally, to cap off his performance, the 'Caps in-form goalscorer put the match to bed in the 68th minute. After a long ball up field from Camilo, Miller let the ball bounce, took a touch off his chest, then struck a sweet half-volley from outside the box over the head of goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth for his second goal of the match and the eventual winner in a 4-3 victory for Vancouver.
At 0.93, Miller now leads MLS in goals per 90 minutes among players who have played at least 100 minutes this season. Miller is also tied for second in the league with three game-winning goals.
Prior to Saturday, New England had conceded the least goals against in MLS, having only surrendered a stingy nine goals in 14 games.
Miller becomes the second Whitecaps FC player to win the honour, as Camilo was previously named Player of the Week following his two goal, one assist performance against Sporting Kansas City at Empire Field during Week 3 in Vancouver's inaugural season in 2011.
Whitecaps FC are back in action this coming Wednesday, June 19, when they host fellow Western Conference side Chivas USA. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT at BC Place. Tickets start at just $20 and are available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
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.
