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Pontius wins league accolade
D.C. United midfielder Chris Pontius was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters for Week 12 of the 2010 MLS season. Pontius scored two goals and recorded an assist in D.C. United’s 3-2 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on Thursday, June 10 at Qwest Field.
In the 39th minute, Pontius collected a poor clearance, cut the ball inside with his right foot, sending two Sounders defenders sprawling, and unleashed a shot from 40 yards out. The ball deflected off the back of a Sounders defender and into the net for D.C.’s first goal of the night.
Pontius doubled the lead for D.C. just five minutes later. With a great individual effort, Pontius shook off two Seattle defenders and sent a shot toward the left post. The shot headed straight to Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller, but Keller mishandled the shot and the ball rolled into the net.
In the 79th minute, Pontius helped D.C. to their third and final goal of the night as he headed a free kick from the left side of the area toward the right post. The ball hit the post and teammate Adam Cristman tapped it in past a diving Keller.
This is Pontius’ first career Player of the Week award.
CSN Vote: Pontius was the top choice on a week that featured only four games. OK, the second goal was garbage, but he did what strikers are supposed to do: He made the keeper do his job. The keeper didn’t. Kudos to Pontius. He got our vote.
Spencer Stays True: Also on Monday, The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee fined Houston Dynamo assistant coach John Spencer $2,000 for making an inappropriate gesture to fans following the Dynamo game on June 5 versus the LA Galaxy.
Fines collected are donated to MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS W.O.R.K.S. seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport.
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