Valeri earns MLS' 1st Player of the Week nod of 2017

Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri was named MLS Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2017 MLS season after the Argentine maestro helped his side defeat expansion outfit Minnesota United by a resounding 5-1 scoreline.

Valeri recorded an assist on Portland's first goal, scored by defender Lawrence Olum, then scored one of his own two minutes into the second half. Valeri added a second goal from the penalty spot, bringing his career total to 39 goals and 43 assists in regular-season play.

He also combined wonderfully with his former Lanus teammate Sebastian Blanco, who made his debut against the Loons to kick off the 2017 season.

All that is good for Valeri's third Player of the Week award, which brings him level with teammate Fanendo Adi as the Timbers' joint-top recipient.