NEW YORK (Tuesday, September 1, 2015) – New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 26 of the 2015 MLS season.
Wright-Phillips stole the show in New York’s 3-0 win over I-95 rivals D.C. United on Sunday night, registering two goals and an assist at Red Bull Arena. The two-goal effort brings the 2014 Golden Boot winner’s season total to 13, placing him fifth on the MLS goal scoring charts. This marks Wright-Phillips’ third Player of the Week win, tying him with Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco and LA Galaxy’s Robbie Keane for most nods this season. The New York Red Bulls now sit second in the East (12-7-6, 42 points), just two points behind Eastern Conference leading D.C. United with three games in hand.
Wright-Phillips registered the assist on the game-opening goal in the 33rd minute, making the most of a D.C. United turnover. Red Bulls defender Kemar Lawrence intercepted Bobby Boswell’s pass and played the ball into the path of Wright-Phillips. The Englishman did well to maneuver into space and placed a perfect pass for fellow countryman Lloyd Sam, who calmly slotted his shot past an onrushing Bill Hamid (watch assist).
Wright-Phillips would double the Red Bulls’ lead in the 42nd minute with a spectacular effort. Felipe found forward Mike Grella with a wonderful long ball that he played into the middle of the box. Wright-Phillips didn’t miss a beat, as the London native ran onto the cross and sent a sublime volley past Hamid from just outside the six-yard box.
Wright-Phillips put the game away in the 64th minute when midfielder Sacha Kljestan played him in behind United’s backline. Wright-Phillips found himself in acres of space and buried his shot from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the net.
The New York Red Bulls return to MLS action on Friday, September 11 when they host the Chicago Fire at Red Bull Arena at 7 p.m. ET (UniMás).
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.
