Timbers’ Alhassan is runaway MLS Player of the Week winner

Portland Timbers’ winger Kalif Alhassan was the runaway winner in voting for the first MLS Player of the Week for the 2012 season.

Alhassan got 12 of the 18 first-place votes from the membership of the North American Soccer Reporters. Vancouver Whitecaps’ forward Sebastien Le Toux — who scored just 3:07 into the new season — finished second in balloting. Le Toux got three first-place votes, to illustrate just how wide the gap was between himself and Alhassan.

Alhassan had a fantastic Monday evening. After the Timbers scored to draw level with the Philadelphia Union, Alhassan was directly responsible for the next two goals.

First, he controlled the ball well on the right touchline before dancing by a defender and then providing an inch-perfect cross for Kris Boyd to head home for the lead. And, late in the game, Alhassan unleashed a perfect chip shot from a severe angle that found its way into the Philly net.

How The 11 voted: Alhassan got the vote. In a weekend where no player scored multiple goals, Alhassan’s efforts down the right side added to his chip made him an easy choice.

With the Timbers at home in front of a raucous sellout crowd, Alhassan turned in a virtuoso performance. And, it marks the first time ever that a Timbers’ player has won the award — as the team was shut out last season.

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