The San Jose Earthquakes pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the MLS season Saturday, and Vako was a big reason why.
After scoring a pair of goals to lift the last-place Quakes to a 3-1 road win over first-place FC Dallas, Vako was voted the Alcatel MLS Player of the Week for Week 23 by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).
The Georgian gave San Jose an early lead in the 19th minute, running onto a long ball from Shea Salinas before Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez could get there, then beating a defender and sending a shot into an empty net.
With the Quakes leading 2-1 in the 88th minute, the Georgian international got on the end of a Chris Wondolowski pass to complete his brace and seal San Jose’s third win of the season.
Vako now has six goals and four assists this season for the Quakes (3-12-7), who will look to build off their victory Saturday when they face the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (9 pm ET | TV & 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.
