<p>Days after starring in the 2017 opener, Portland Timbers</a> midfielder Diego Valeri</a> was named Alcatel Player of the Week for Week 1 of the MLS season by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) on Tuesday.</p><p>Valeri started his year in dynamic fashion last Friday night, scoring two goals and recording an assist to power the Timbers to their 5-1 home win</a> against Minnesota United FC</a>.</p><p>The Argentine attacker got things going early, delivering the 14th-minute set piece that Portland defender Lawrence Olum</a> eventually scrambled home to give the Timbers a 1-0 lead</a>. He doubled the advantage two minutes in to the second half, getting on the end of a Sebastian Blanco</a> cross and flicking a header inside the left post to make it 2-0</a>.</p><p>After a Christian Ramirez</a> goal</a> brought the Loons within one in the 79th, Valeri restored Portland’s two-goal lead in the 82nd, burying a penalty kick</a> after Fanendo Adi</a> was fouled in the box</a> by Vadim Demidov</a>. The penalty started a late flurry for the Timbers, who got goals from Adi in the 91st</a> and 93rd</a> minutes to down Minnesota 5-1. The five goals from the Timbers were tied for the most they have ever scored in MLS.</p><p>Valeri, who recorded 14 goals and seven assists last year, narrowly beat out Adi for the award. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando</a> and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Anibal Godoy</a> were the only other players to receive multiple votes.</p><p>This is the third time that Valeri has won Player of the Week during his MLS career, tying Adi for the most by a Timber.</p><p>The Timbers will return to action on Sunday, when they’ll take on the LA Galaxy</a> at StubHub Center (7 pm ET; FS1 in the US | MLS LIVE in Canada). </p>
