Portland Timbers striker Fanendo Adi has picked up MLS Player of the Week honors after scoring two goals in Portland's 4-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday. Adi played a starring role in the win, causing danger throughout the entire 90 minutes in addition to scoring two game-changing goals.
Whenever Seattle and Portland meet, a raucous atmosphere ensues. Sunday's encounter was no different, and in a cacophony of noise they played out a tight first half and went into the break at level peggin with the score tied at 1-1.
However, in the second period, the Timbers could smell blood in the water. Seattle were without all three of their designated players, and it was obvious that they were lacking in offensive ideas. Portland began throwing numbers forward searching for a winning goal, and it was Adi who finally found it.
He struck in the 74th minute with a really well taken goal to put the Timbers ahead for good, and he wasn't done. The Timbers Army were still in the midst of unfurling a tifo when Adi strode forward again just seconds after the restart. Many of the crowd massed behind the goal were unable to see what happened due to the massive mosaic covering them, but they undoubtedly have seen images of what came next.
In celebration of the second goal, Adi "borrowed" Timber Joey's chainsaw and pretended to cut off a section from the log which resides in front of the Timbers Army. It was a moment in the history of this rivalry which the supporters of neither side will soon forget, and has undoubtedly earned him a special place in the hearts of Timbers fans and a special hatred from Seattle supporters.
Adi was a game changer all over the pitch on Sunday, and is a worthy winner of this week's award. Portland's next match is on Wednesday in the US Open Cup against Real Salt Lake.