SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Vako was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 23rd week of the 2018 MLS season. It marks the Quakes’ first Player of the Week honoree since forward Danny Hoesen was recognized for his brace against Minnesota United FC in Week 1.

San Jose defeated FC Dallas 3-1 at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, with Vako scoring a pair of goals to hand Dallas its first home loss of the season. In 21 games played this regular season, Vako has scored six goals and recorded four assists.

The Georgia National Team member gave the Quakes an early lead in the 19th minute when he used a great pass from teammate Shea Salinas to escape FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez outside the box. Vako then got past a defender with a cutback move and sent a right-footed shot from the left of the box into the empty net (Watch Goal).

In the 88th minute, Vako put the match out of reach when he capitalized on Chris Wondolowski’s perfect pass from the end line, finishing with an easy tap-in from close range to the bottom-right corner of goal for a 3-1 San Jose lead (Watch Goal).

San Jose returns to action on Saturday, August 11 to face the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (6 p.m. PT, NBC Sports California Plus).

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. Learn more about the NASR and apply to join at https://www.facebook.com/soccerreporters/.