Union's Mapp named MLS Player of the Week

Veteran Philadelphia Union midfielder Justin Mapp was voted MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for his two-goal performance that helped the Union to a 6-2 win at Toronto in Week 11.

“It’s an absolute honor to accept this award and I’m very pleased about it,” said Mapp.  “However, the biggest accomplishment this weekend was for the team.  It was very important for us to have gotten the three points on the road and to have scored all those goals.  It was a key win for the team, and even though I’m pleased about the award, I’m just proud of the team’s performance this weekend.”

Entering the game having scored just eight goals in 10 games, the Union’s offense exploded at BMO Field. After Gabriel Farfan opened the scoring in the second minute, Mapp intercepted a pass about 35 yards out and headed straight at the center of Toronto’s defense. Mapp used Kyle Nakazawa’s wall pass to clear space for a low, left-footed drive from just outside the penalty arc that beat goalkeeper Stefan Frei inside the right post in the 11th minute.

Up 3-0 at halftime, Philadelphia looked in full control of the match, but Toronto tallied the next two goals. Mapp then struck again on a similar play, from a similar distance, to his first goal. After stealing a Toronto pass on the right flank, the midfielder dribbled to the top of the box, cut to his left and blasted a shot into far side netting. The goal – just three minutes after Toronto had closed within one – was nominated for AT&T Goal of the Week and proved pivotal as the Union piled on two more to seal their second road win of the season. Philadelphia remain atop the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of their chief rival, the New York Red Bulls.


2011 MLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNERS

Week 11: Justin Mapp (Philadelphia Union)
Week 10: Jeff Parke (Seattle Sounders FC)
Week 9: Justin Braun (Chivas USA)
Week 8: Joao Plata (Toronto FC)
Week 7: Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo)
Week 6: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
Week 5: Luke Rodgers (New York Red Bulls)
Week 4: David Ferreira (FC Dallas)
Week 3: Camilo (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Week 2: Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake)
Week 1: Omar Bravo (Sporting Kansas City)