Giovani dos Santos had himself quite the week. Not only did he score four times in two games, but he also added three assists as well. And if that wasn’t enough, Major League Soccer just announced him as their “Player of the Week,” as selected by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).
And if not for some questionable goalkeeping, the LA Galaxy also would’ve had a pretty good week.
Dos Santos scored twice in the LA Galaxy’s 3-3 draw with Real Salt Lake. Scoring in the 57th and 64th minute, while also providing the assist on the first goal of the night, which Emmanuel Boateng buried in the 6th minute. He then followed up that performance with a two goal and two assist game versus Orlando City, a 4-2 win, on Sunday. Scoring in the 35th and 45th minutes, while assisting on goals in the 38th and 70th minutes respectively. Not to put too fine a point on it, but he was active and involved in all 7 goals the LA Galaxy scored in their two games.
This is the second time that Dos Santos has received the Player of the Week award — his previous time in week 7.
Giovani dos Santos has now scored 14 goals and assisted 11 times in 2016, which ranks him in the top 5 for both categories — his 14 goals are tied for fourth, and his 11 assists are tied for third. This also makes him one of only two players, league wide, that have double-digit goals and double-digit assists (the other player is Toronto FC’s, Sebastian Giovinco who has 16 goals and 13 assists).
After arriving midseason in 2015 and making just ten regular season appearances in 2015, scoring three times and adding five assists, Giovani dos Santos is looking to put his stamp on a club that has been missing their leading goal scorer over the years, Robbie Keane, for much of the season. Dos Santos has amassed over 2,000 minutes (2,080) in 2016 and played in 25 matches — starting 24 of those games.
READ: WITH GIOVANI DOS SANTOS, IT’S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD
Coul Dos Santos be playing himself into an MVP race? Only time will tell, but for the Galaxy, if his continued success means they’re better positioning themselves for the post-season, then there shouldn’t be much complaining.
The Galaxy currently sit in 2nd place in the Western Conference with five games remaining in their regular season — three games on the road and just two more at home.
Giovani dos Santos and the LA Galaxy will travel to Sporting KC, for a Sunday game on FOX at 11AM (Sunday, September 18th, 2016).