Minnesota United FC forward Darwin Quintero has been voted the Alcatel MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 19, after he netted a sumptuous hat trick in a wild 4-3 victory over Toronto FC last Wednesday.
The Ecuadorian attacker’s trio of lofted strikes is the first hat trick in the club’s MLS history, and it pushed his 2018 league scoring total to a team-best six goals and two assists.
Quintero put Minnesota on the board in the 8th minute when he clipped a shot from the edge of the penalty box into the top left corner of the goal with the outside of his right foot. After the break he lofted another clinical finish over TFC goalkeeper Clint Irwin from 18 yards out, this time into the top right corner, to give the Loons a 3-1 lead.
Minutes later, he scored again to complete his hat trick, dribbling through the midfield before chipping another strike from long range. Minnesota return to action on Saturday, hosting Real Salt Lake at TCF Bank Stadium (8 pm ET | TV and streaming info).
The Alcatel 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.
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