Minnesota United and Major League Soccer announced today that MNUFC Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 3 of the 2022 MLS season.
Pushed into a starting role following a late scratch of Tyler Miller, St. Clair rose to the occasion in standout fashion, making eight saves, including one on a Patryk Klimala penalty kick early in the 14th minute (Watch Here), in Minnesota United’s 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Sunday night. The Canadian product has not allowed a goal on four penalty kick attempts in his career.
St. Clair continued to make his presence felt throughout the second half of the contest, saving a point-blank shot from Omir Fernandez in the 46th minute (Watch Here), deflecting an open look in the 56th minute (Watch Here) and preserving the Loons’ 1-0 lead with a fully-extended diving save in the 84th minute (Watch Here).
In total, the 24-year-older goalkeeper made 8 saves on the night, almost single-handedly keeping the Loons in the game until Luis Amarilla’s 51st minute volley found the back of the net — a goal that proved to be the game-winner thanks to number 97’s lockdown performance in net.
St. Clair is the first MNUFC player named Player of the Week since Kevin Molino in Week 23 of the 2020 season.
As is fitting for the overall MLS Player of the Week, St. Clair also received a spot on the MLS Team of the Week — making this the third consecutive week MNUFC have landed a spot on the roster.
Minnesota United FC (1-0-2) will look to continue their strong start to the season as they welcome the San Jose Earthquakes to Allianz Field on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, MLS LIVE on ESPN+).
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while a Twitter fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
See the full MLS Team of the Week for week 3 below:
F: Talles Magno (NYC), Brandon Vazquez (CIN), Alan Velasco (DAL)
M: Darwin Quintero (HOU), Mark-Anthony Kaye (COL), Ilie Sanchez (LAFC), Lucas Zelarayan (CLB)
D: Justen Glad (RSL), Bill Tuiloma (POR), Wyatt Omsberg (CHI)
GK: Dayne St. Clair (MIN)
Coach: Pat Noonan (CIN)
Bench: Gaga Slonina (CHI), Xavier Arreaga (SEA), Nathan Harriel (PHI), Diego Chara (POR), Ben Bender (CLT), Derrick Etienne Jr. (CLB), Diego Rubio (COL)
