SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC forward Obafemi Martins has been voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the ninth week of the 2015 MLS season.
Seattle Sounders FC trekked cross-country for its first-ever meeting with New York City FC on Sunday, and Martins took center stage under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium. The forward got involved in all three of Seattle’s goals, recording his first brace of the season and adding a secondary assist on Clint Dempsey’s 58th minute game-winning goal. Martins put on a dribbling display against NYCFC defender Chris Wingert before putting in a cross that found Marco Pappa, who delivered the final touch to Dempsey.
Martins opened the scoring for the Sounders in the 23rd minute, following a barrage of chances for the home side. Before NYCFC’s defense could react, Martins had channeled his world-class speed, slipped behind the back line, and was off to the races. The Nigerian corralled a through ball from Pappa, nearly lost his balance, but recovered to pocket a left-footed shot past a helpless Josh Saunders.
Later, in the 66th minute, Seattle exchanged 18 passes before Dempsey sent a beautiful back-heel flick to Martins, who split NYCFC’s backline yet again and smoothly finished to the far post to seal the match for the visitors.
With his brace, Martins now has an MLS-leading six goals on the season and 31 in his MLS career. He is the second player in club history to cross the 30-goal plateau, trailing only Fredy Montero (47 goals).
Seattle Sounders FC returns to action this Saturday, as the club travels to MAPFRE Stadium to play Columbus Crew SC (4:30 p.m. PT / Q13 FOX, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM).
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 here.
