The weekly accolades continue to roll in for the unofficial Finnish president and amateur Party Promoter, Teemu Pukki. After earning a spot on the week 37’s Team of the Matchday, his performance has now been awarded the biggest individual accolade of the week after being named the MLS Player of the Matchday. 

Going into the match with the LA Galaxy on Saturday, the Loons’ run of form may have been on the downswing, but Pukki’s individual play had seen him register a goal in three of the previous four matches. Saturday night, however, was the prime example of a “big players show up in big games.” With the Loons’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, our squad’s biggest in-season pick-up didn't just simply keep those hopes alive, he may have revived the excitement for some late-season momentum carrying into a postseason run.

The scoring prowess that had made him such a big signing for the team was on full display on Saturday night, as he would put on a scoring clinic that may earn him a medical degree as a surgeon. He would find the space needed to create quality opportunities, and his finishing touch in those moments was worthy of a chef’s kiss. Finland’s all-time leading scorer has now rewritten the Loons’ record book as well, with his 4 goals against LA being the most by any Loons player in a single game in the club’s history. Now, he’s receiving recognition from a league-wide level, something that should quiet the whispers of concern about Pukki’s slow start with the Loons. It may be time to start buying into the fact that this squad may have another superstar talent in its midst. Congrats to Pukki, you deserve it!