MLS
Midfielder Eduardo ‘Chofis’ Lopez voted MLS Player of the Week 26
The Mexican international midfielder scored five goals in two games and he is helping San Jose Earthquakes make a late run for the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Eduardo ‘Chofis’ Lopez had an extraordinary week with the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer with five goals in two games. The Mexican international midfielder scored a brace in San Jose’s 4-3 victory against Austin FC last weekend and a hat-trick in a 4-3 loss to Real Salt Lake on September 15.
Eduardo Lopez: First individual Award in MLS
¨Chofis¨ is having a breakout season in his first year in Major League Soccer with 10 goals and two assists in 24 appearances. After a great performance, Eduardo Lopez was voted the Major League Soccer Player of Week 26 and he was included in the MLS Team of the Week.
The head coach of the Earthquakes, Matias Almeyda, praised the level that the former Chivas player is showing in Major League Soccer. Eduardo Lopez joined the Californian team in January on a one-year loan with the option of completing the transfer at the end of the loan. According to transfermarkt, his value is $1.65 million.
"I am very happy for him. There was great sacrifice in getting him to San Jose and reaching the level he is currently at after going a year and a half without playing," Almeyda told reporters on Saturday. "He changed the way he trains and lives football, including his professionalism and calmness," said Almeyda.
Lopez is "progressing in life"
The Earthquakes head coach continued, "he knows that I try to get to know him and advise him. I have committed mistakes in my life, and I don't want him to commit the same mistakes. I want to see him stay the way he is now. This causes me to be very happy.
"He is a young, talented player, and for a moment, he was torn by his critics. He can make mistakes and he will learn from them. He will learn by my side and will keep growing. He has my confidence in him to make his own decisions. It makes me very happy seeing him play this way. I know his family and I am happy for them too. When I see him progressing in the sport, it makes me very pleased because he is progressing in life, and no one talks about that."