Michel of Rayo OKC Named NASL Player of the Week
Michel of Rayo OKC is named NASL Player of the Week after tallying three goals in the club’s two matches versus Puerto Rico FC and the New York Cosmos. The 35-year-old midfielder and Atlético Mineiro product converted a late penalty to steal a point at home against Puerto Rico and tallied two goals versus the visiting Cosmos on Saturday.
NASL Soccer News: Rayo OKC has increased its unbeaten streak to six games, getting three goals from midfielder Michel in two league encounters this past week. The Brazilian veteran has been named North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week for his efforts in Rayo OKC’s 2-2 draw against Puerto Rico FC and 3-0 win over the New York Cosmos, the league announced Monday.
“I am extremely honored and happy to be named NASL Player of the Week,” Michel said. “To be honest, I have to give the credit to my teammates. The whole group deserves this honor with our performances in the last two games. It was especially difficult to come back against Puerto Rico, but we kept our heads up and got a positive result.”
With his club down, 2-1, in the dying moments against Puerto Rico FC on Wednesday night, Michel stepped up to the spot and converted a pressure-packed penalty kick to steal a point for Rayo OKC at Miller Stadium.
Three days later, the Atlético Mineiro product struck twice in Rayo OKC’s convincing 3-0 triumph over the visiting Cosmos. The 35-year-old midfielder opened the scoring early in the second half with an authoritative penalty kick before curling home a beautiful free kick from 25 yards out in the 65th minute.
“I am thrilled for our captain and his deserving selection of NASL Player of the Week,” said Rayo OKC head coach Alen Marcina. “His tireless work in the middle of the park as well as his two fantastic goals contributed to the team’s impressive home win versus one of the best teams in the league.”
Despite being deployed as a defender at times this season, Michel has managed to find the back of the net eight times in 2016 league action. Only Minnesota United’s Christian Ramirez has scored more goals (10) than the Brazilian.
Perhaps more importantly, Michel’s goals have propelled Rayo OKC to some positive results recently. With eight points, the club sits just one point back of the first-place Cosmos in the NASL Fall Season Standings. Rayo OKC’s early Fall Season form has moved them up to fifth place in the league’s Combined Standings – a table that will prove crucial when it comes to clinching postseason berths later this year.
Michel joined Rayo OKC prior to the 2016 season after spending the better part of three years in MLS with FC Dallas. The left-footed maestro’s resume also includes stints in the top ranks of Brazil, Belgium, and Greece.
Rayo OKC will look to extend its unbeaten streak this weekend, paying a visit to Puerto Rico FC at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 ET.
Source/Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
