Two stunning solo goals against the LA Galaxy. Two AT&T MLS Goal of the Week awards.
Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell has earned MLS Goal of the Week honors for the second time this season, taking home 38 percent of the fan vote on MLSsoccer.com after slicing through the LA Galaxy defense in Saturday's dramatic 1-1 draw at Children's Mercy Park.
Russell, who beat four defenders before curling into the far corner for a brilliant 83rd-minute equalizer on Saturday, won his first MLS Goal of the Week this spring under remarkably similar circumstances. In a 2-0 win at LA on April 8, the Scotland international embarked on a dazzling solo run down the right side prior to slotting low past Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham.
Russell, who joined Sporting KC in January, leads the club in both goals and assists across all competitions with 11 each. He has amassed nine goals and nine assists in MLS, making him a candidate to become Kansas City’s fourth player ever to reach double-digits in both categories in a single season.
The 28-year-old Russell has spearheaded a potent Sporting KC side that has 56 league goals in 2018, third-most in team history, and his excellent form has prompted a return to the Scotland national team. He has collected three of his seven career caps since the start of June and is in contention to play today when Scotland faces Israel in a UEFA Nations League match at 1:45 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Saturday’s result leaves Sporting KC tied for second place in the Western Conference with LAFC, four points behind leaders FC Dallas. With a playoff spot secured, Manager Peter Vermes' side will now battle for optimal seeding. Sporting KC faces a pivotal two-game Western Conference road swing — visiting Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday and leaders FC Dallas next Sunday, Oct. 21 — prior to hosting LAFC in the club’s monumental regular season finale on Oct. 28. Tickets for the all-important Decision Day showdown, slated for 3:30 p.m. CT, are now available at SeatGeek.com.
