SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes defender Rodrigues has been selected to Major League Soccer’s Team of the Week for Week 29 following the Earthquakes’ 2-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC at PayPal Park on Sunday night.
Rodrigues made his MLS debut, played all 90 minutes, and led the Quakes to their first shutout victory since May 5. The Earthquakes acquired Rodrigues on a 12-month loan with option to buy from Brazilian side Grêmio on Aug. 6.
MLS TEAM OF THE WEEK FOR WEEK 29
Forwards: Kei Kamara (MTL), Hany Mukhtar (NSH)
Midfielders: Luciano Acosta (CIN), Daniel Gazdag (PHI), Sebastian Lletget (DAL), Djordje Mihailovic (MTL)
Defenders: Nouhou (SEA), Rodrigues (SJ), Walker Zimmerman (NSH), Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC)
Goalkeepers: Djordje Petrovic (NE)
Coach: Jim Curtin (PHI)
Bench: Gaga Slonina (CHI), Nick Hagglund (CIN), Felipe Gutierrez (COL), Alan Velasco (DAL), Santiago Moreno (POR), Lorenzo Insigne (TOR), Javier Hernandez (LA)
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH ALEX COVELO (9/4)
On defender Rodrigues making his MLS debut:
“He is a physical and powerful player that could also help us out with aerial balls. With the ball, he was very comfortable today. He had a very good game defensively and offensively. Obviously physically he is not in the best of conditions but will improve step by step.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER JACKSON YUEILL (9/4)
On Rodrigues’ debut and performance on Sunday:
“It’s never easy for someone to come to a place, not speak the language, only have a week of training and step onto the field, but I thought he performed really well. He’s got a great partner there with Nathan and was able to communicate and help him throughout the week, get him acclimated to the team and the guys quickly and [Rodrigues] has done a great job. I think you can tell his defensive abilities are really, really good. He made really, really good tackles and his timing is really good. The more he’s with us, the more he’ll get used to the guys. His confidence will grow. I thought he was really good tonight and we’re happy to have him here in San Jose.”
