Sporting Kansas City winger Gerso Fernandes was named to the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi on Thursday following his comprehensive performance on both sides of the ball in last night's 1-1 draw against FC Dallas. MLS Team of the Week is voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff and recognizes players for outstanding performances from the 12 MLS matches in Week 9 of the 2020 season from Sept. 1-2.
Gerso celebrated his 100th MLS appearance by becoming the first player in MLS this season - and only the second SKC player in the Opta era (2010-present) -- to record three shots, three chances created from open play, three fouls suffered, three tackles won and three recoveries in a regular season match.
Add on a primary assist and he joins an exclusive list of just nine players in the past decade to stack up that versatile of a statline for a regular season fixture.
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Team</strong> |
<strong>Opp</strong> |
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Mins</strong> |
Gerso Fernandes |
SKC |
DAL |
9/2/20 |
57 |
Diego Rubio |
COL |
SJ |
8/10/19 |
80 |
Miguel Almiron |
ATL |
SJ |
9/19/18 |
90 |
Nicolas Lodeiro |
SEA |
NYC |
7/29/18 |
90 |
Mauro Diaz |
DAL |
LA |
10/22/17 |
90 |
Miguel Almiron |
ATL |
DC |
6/21/17 |
90 |
Cristian Techera |
VAN |
COL |
9/9/15 |
90 |
Lloyd Sam |
NY |
VAN |
3/8/14 |
90 |
Dilly Duka |
CLB |
SKC |
4/16/11 |
90 |
Now consider that he only played 57 minutes -- two-thirds the time of nearly every other player on the list - as Manager Peter Vermes manages his roster amidst a busy stretch of five matches in 16 days.
Gerso's two-way play was on full display in first half stoppage time on Wednesday, first when he set up Khiry Shelton for the game-tying goal with a perfectly-placed pass to split the FC Dallas defense then two minutes later when he raced 60 yards to win the ball back off a dangerous FC Dallas counter.
Gerso now has 17 goals and 15 assists in his 100 MLS appearances since joining the club in 2017 and collecting the club's Golden Boot and Offensive Player of the Year awards in his debut season.
Team of the Week: Clement Diop (MTL); Justen Glad (RSL), Donovan Pines (DC), Kendall Waston (CIN), Rudy Camacho (MTL); Cristian Pavon (LA), Joe Corona (LA), Gerso (SKC); Diego Rossi (LAFC), Ariel Lassiter (HOU), Darwin Quintero (HOU)
Coach: Tab Ramos (HOU)
Bench: Chris Seitz (DC), Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (MIA), Lucas Zelarayan (CLB), Randall Leal (NSH), Alberth Elis (HOU), Erik Sorga (DC), Heber (NYC)
