For the first time, Randall Leal has won Major League Soccer’s Player of the Matchday honor. The Costa Rican scored both of the game’s goals to lead NSC past DC United Saturday evening.
In addition to his goals, Leal actually put the ball into the back of the net another time in the game’s opening minute, but Hany Mukhtar was ruled offside in the buildup by a tiny margin. In his 30 touches, Leal completed 11/14 passes and successfully completed his only attempted dribble – a lovely touch around DC keeper Tyler Miller on his first goal. He won 3/4 tackles and won possession three more times. He did concede three fouls, earning a yellow card in the process.
He won 33.3% of the media vote* and 19.19% of fan voting for a total of 29.80%, eclipsing Minnesota’s Emanuel Reynoso (19.58%). This is Leal’s first Player of the Matchday honor in his MLS career. It is his seventh Team of the Matchday (previously Team of the Week) honor, and first of the season. Shaq Moore made the TOTM bench. Bizarrely, yet another goalkeeper who failed to keep a clean sheet (this time Austin’s Brad Stuver) is on the TOTM over Joe Willis, who has yet to even make the bench this year.
It is Nashville’s third Player of the Matchday honor this season, with Hany Mukhtar winning in weeks 11 and 19. It is the 15th TOTM selection for Nashville this season, with Mukhtar making weeks 6, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, and 19. Defenders Dan Lovitz and Shaq Moore joined him in Weeks 15 and 19, respectively. Lukas MacNaughton was on Matchdate 13 TOTM. Walker Zimmerman was named to the Teams of Matchdate 6 and 10 along with Mukhtar, and was also among the honored in the opening weekend of MLS play.
* Disclosure: I am the president of North American Soccer Reporters and operate media voting for the weekly award.
Club and Country 