Rios, who scored four goals against Philadelphia, registered the first hat trick in Club history; second consecutive POTW honoree for CLTFC
CHARLOTTE, NC (Monday, October 3, 2022) – Charlotte FC striker Daniel Rios was voted MLS Player of the Week after scoring all four goals in a 4-0 thrashing of Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia Union to keep the Crown's playoff hopes alive.
Rios, who became the first CLTFC player to score a hat trick in Club history, was the first player to score multiple goals against the Union in over three years.
The Mexican is the second Charlotte FC player to earn Player of the Week honors in as many weeks after fellow attacker Karol Swiderski was named POTW following a 3-2 win over Chicago Fire FC. Charlotte FC is the first expansion team to accomplish this feat since 2005 when Seattle Sounders FC did so.
His goals in the 24', 54', 72', and 90'+1' set up a must-win match for Charlotte FC on Wednesday against the Columbus Crew. CLTFC sits four points off the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with two games left to play. The match originally scheduled for July 30 was suspended due to severe weather and will resume in the 16th minute with the score still 0-0.
Related Article: Daniel Ríos: "We are still fighting, we still believe"
For the full MLS Team of the Week, please see below:
Team of the Week (3-4-3 Formation)
F: Jhon Duran (CHI), Daniel Rios (CLT), Sebastian Ferreira (HOU)
M: Derrick Etienne Jr. (CLB), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Brian Gutierrez (CHI), Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
D: Alex Callens (NYC), Gabriele Corbo (MTL), Nathan (SJ)
GK: Thomas Hasal (VAN)
Coach: Steve Cherundolo (LAFC)
Bench: Stefan Frei (SEA), Claudio Bravo (POR), Carles Gil (NE), Diego Rubio (COL), Douglas Costa (LA), Gonzalo Higuain (MIA), Talles Magno (NYC)
