Week #25 NASL Players of the Week: Brian Kallman & Ryan Pore

BLAINE, Minn. (Sept. 26, 2011)

The North American Soccer League named Minnesota Stars defender Brian Kallman as its Defensive Player of the Week Monday.

Kallman played all 90 minutes at right back as the Stars defeated the regular season champion Carolina RailHawks 2-1 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., to seal a playoff berth.

Kallman was surprised by the award and was quick to credit the entire team for the victory. “I feel like I was able to get forward well and get service off, but it was our defensive efforts as a team that allowed us to win the game,” he said.

After seeing limited action early in the season, Kallman has emerged as the Stars’ first-choice right back in recent weeks, playing every minute of the team’s final four matches. The Stars finished the season with a three-game unbeaten run to overcome poor form in August and early September that threatened to cost them a playoff spot.

With the Stars facing perhaps their toughest task of the season Saturday in Carolina, Kallman rose to the occasion, keeping Carolina’s attack at bay on the right side of the Stars defense. Overall, the Stars held Carolina to only four shots on goal. Read more to see entire 2011 NASL Player of the Week list -

“I thought Brian had a great individual game and a great combined game with our whole backline,” Stars head coach Manny Lagos said. “Everyone defended well in a hostile environment against a Carolina team with lots of offensive weapons.”

Kallman becomes the fourth Stars player to earn Player of the Week recognition from the NASL. Joe Warren (three times) and Kyle Altman have also earned the league’s Defensive Player of the Week award, and forward Devin Del Do earned Offensive Player of the Week honors in June after a two-goal performance.

MONTREAL

Montreal Impact forward Ryan Pore was named Offensive Player of the Week, for a second consecutive week, following the 25th and last week of regular season activity in the North American Soccer League (NASL).

Pore scored three goals in a 4-0 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks, Saturday at the Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

It was only the second time in team history that a player scored three goals in the same regular season game.

Pore opened the scoring at the 6th minute of play, gave the Impact a three-goal lead at the 30th minute, and completed his hat trick at the 54th minute of play.

“I would give up the hat trick and this honour for a spot in the playoffs,” said Ryan Pore. “Montreal gave me a great opportunity a couple months ago and I’m happy to have contributed to the good results at the end of the season. It is unfortunate that we fell short and finished one point behind Minnesota.”

The 27-year-old forward, who was loaned by the Portland Timbers (MLS) on July 22, finished the season as the team leader in goals and points with seven goals and one assist for 15 points in 11 games, 10 as starter (780 minutes).

NASL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK for 2011

Week    Offensive    Defensive
1    Josh Hansen (PR) Joe Warren (MIN)
2    Jonathan Fana (PR)    Brad Rusin (CAR)
3    Etienne Barbara (CAR)    Daryl Sattler (TB)
4    ALI GERBA (MTL)    BILL GAUDETTE (MTL)
5    Etienne Barbara (CAR)    Brad Knighton (CAR)
6    Etienne Barbara (CAR)    Lance Parker (EDM)
7    Kyle Porter (EDM)    Jeff Attinella (TB)
8    Etienne Barbara (CAR)    Brad Rusin (CAR)
9    Devin Del Do (MIN)    Kyle Altman (MIN)
10    Mike Ambersley (TB)    Aaron Hohlbein (FL)
11    Shaun Saiko (EDM)    EVAN BUSH (MTL)
12    Nick Zimmerman (CAR)    Matt Glaeser (FL)
13    Pascal Millien (TB)    Brad Rusin (CAR)
14    Ciaran O’Brien (ATL)    Joe Warren (MIN)
15    Matt Horth (ATL)    Andres Arango (TB)
16    Pablo Campos (CAR)    Tyler Ruthven (ATL)
17    Brian Shriver (FL)    Brad Knighton (CAR)
18    Keith Savage (TB)    Aaron Pitchkolan (PR)
19    EDUARDO SEBRANGO (MTL)    Ray Burse (PR)
20    Michael Cox (EDM)    Paul Hamilton (EDM)
21    Etienne Barbara (CAR)    Jeff Attinella (TB)
22    Gerson Mayen (FL)    EVAN BUSH (MTL)
23    Mozzi Gyorio (TB)    John Jonke (EDM)
24    RYAN PORE (MTL)    Joe Warren (MIN)
25    RYAN PORE (MTL)    Brian Kallman (MIN)