VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Cristian Techera was named the MLS Player of the Week for his hat trick performance in last Saturday’s match against New England Revolution, the league announced on Tuesday.
The hat trick is the third in club MLS history, and the first since Camilo Sanvezzo accomplished the feat on October 27, 2013 versus Colorado Rapids. Kekuta Manneh scored the first hat trick for the club in MLS on October 9, 2013 at Seattle Sounders FC.
Techera scored all three of his goals within a 25-minute span in the second half, making it the 28th fastest in league history. His last tally came in the 74th minute as the ‘Caps rallied from a two-goal deficit for the comeback 3-3 draw at BC Place.
The 5-foot-2 Uruguayan now leads the team with five goals on the season, all coming in his last four appearances.
As a team, Whitecaps FC have now scored nine goals in their last four matches. In the month of May, the ’Caps lead MLS with 75 chances created, are second with 31 shots on target, and third with 85 total shots.
Techera and the ’Caps are back in action on Friday evening when they visit Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PT live on TSN 1/3 and 1410 AM. They are back home on Saturday, June 9 when they host Orlando City SC at BC Place. Visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets for ticket information.
The MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada
