Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea named MLS Player of the Week after performance vs. Columbus

TORONTO, Canada—Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea has been named the Week 14 MLS Player of the Week, the league announced today. Laryea was also named to the MLS Team of the Week, along with head coach Greg Vanney.

Sunday night in East Hartford, Connecticut, Laryea earned two assists and scored TFC’s third goal to help lead The Reds to a 3-1 victory over Columbus Crew SC.

This is Laryea’s first Player of the Week award. Earlier this season, Laryea was named to the MLS Team of the Week for Week 2 during the MLS is Back Tournament. The Canadian international has made 11 appearances for TFC in 2020 and has scored four goals to go along with two assists. For what it’s worth, he’s also had three assists “robbed” of him by virtue a slight deflection.

“I have a lot of confidence in myself and my teammates have a lot of confidence in me and I have a lot of confidence in this team,” said Laryea after Sunday’s 3-1 win. “These performances, the team is trying to challenge each other to up our performances every game and step up in big games and big moments. I have it set in my mind where the guys and the coaches have instilled in me and the rest of the team where we have to be ready for moments like these. So, I don’t know if it’s quite a surprise for any of us, we’re just trying to continue to up our performances.”

Week after week, game after the game, Laryea continues to get better. The sky really is the limit for the 25-year-old Toronto native. As Jozy Altidore says, he’s just getting started.