After scoring a hat-trick against the Portland Timbers, Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas has been named the MLS Player of the Week for Week 29 by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).
The first goal comes from the spot
After Timbers center back Liam Ridgewell was called for a handball inside the penalty area after diving to try to stop a shot, Manotas stepped up to take the penalty. He calmly converted the penalty when he sent Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson the wrong way.
Scores two more in the second half
After Portland tied the game 1-1 after Diego Valeri’s goal in the 51st minute, Manotas put Houston in front for good. After Boniek Garcia got inside the penalty area, he calmly passed the ball to a waiting Manotas who one-timed the shot with his left foot. He was able to sneak the ball past Gleeson and the left post to put the Dynamo in front 2-1 in the 73rd minute.
The final goal came in the 85th minute after Portland went to three in the back. Manotas was able to stay even with the Timbers back line as Portland center back Steven Taylor was not able to step up in time. Cristian Maidana fed him a perfectly weighted ball and Manotas found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
With a defender rushing to get back and Gleeson coming off his line, Manotas checked to see if he had any help. After realizing he was all alone, Manotas calmly shot the ball between the onrushing Gleeson’s legs to complete his hat-trick and give the Dynamo a 3-1 lead.
Surprising hat-trick?
Some could say that Manotas hat-trick came as a surprise. He has been with the Dynamo since he was transferred to the club on May 15, 2015, from Uniautónoma FC. The 21-year-old hardly saw the field in 2015 and more recently started to see action with interim head coach Wade Barrett. Manotas now has four goals on the season for Houston.
What’s next?
Manotas and the Dynamo return to the field this Friday as they host New York City FC.
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 media.