Columbus Crew forward Dominic Oduro was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Sports Reporters (NASR) for week 31 of the 2013 MLS season. Oduro recorded a 17th-minute assist before slotting home the game-winning goal in the 44th minute in the team’s emphatic 4-2 win over FC Dallas on Sunday night in Frisco, Texas.
After sending a perfectly placed centering pass to Jairo Arrieta on the Crew’s second goal in the first 20 minutes of action on a counterattack, the 28-year-old used his breakneck speed from just past midfield to fly down the right flank and eventually slot a ball near side to give the Crew a 3-1 lead at the half. The goal marked Oduro’s team-leading 12th of the season, tying a career high that he set in 2011 while a member of the Chicago Fire.
WATCH: Oduro’s game-winning goal & key first-half assist
The weekly League honor is Oduro’s first of his eight-year career. In his first season with the Black & Gold, Oduro becomes the first Crew player this season to capture the award as the club has won three consecutive matches and four of the team’s last five tilts. Federico Higuain was the last player to win the award when he secured the victory in consecutive weeks (Week 25 and Week 26) during the 2012 season.
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 http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
Sitting just one point outside the fifth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings, the Crew (12-14-5, 41 points) returns home for a crucial contest against Sporting Kansas City (14-10-6, 48 points) at Crew Stadium on Saturday, October 5 (7:30 p.m. ET / FOX Sports Ohio).
