Eamon Zayed Named NASL Player of the Week
Eamon Zayed is named NASL Player of the Week for a league-best third time this season after leading Indy Eleven to a 5-2 win over Jacksonville Armada FC. Zayed tallied his second hat trick of the season as Indy Eleven remain tied in points with the New York Cosmos atop the NASL table.
NASL Soccer News: Indy Eleven forward Eamon Zayed netted his second hat trick of the year in a 5-2 win over Jacksonville Armada FC on Wednesday, earning North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week honors for a league-best third time.
The Irish-born Libyan international moved his season tally to 11 goals – one shy of league leader Christian Ramirez – after finding the net three times in a big win over the Armada FC. In the 16th minute of Wednesday’s clash, he latched onto a through ball by Don Smart and slotted his shot past Jacksonville goalkeeper Sean Lewis.
Zayed would then find himself in the right spot at the right time twice in the second half. First, Dylan Mares’ attempt on goal caromed off the cross bar and deflected off Justin Braun before falling to the feet of Zayed, who powered his shot into an empty net. He then slid the ball home after Braun’s shot was initially parried by Lewis to complete his hat trick and give Indy a 5-1 lead at the time.
“Naturally, I’m delighted with the honor and would like to thank the league for the recognition,” Zayed said. “August will be a tough month for Indy Eleven with six games, so picking up six valuable points to start things off will give us confidence and belief for the games to come. On a personal note, hat tricks don’t come around very often, and since it helped the team secure points, that made it a great week.”
Indy entered Wednesday’s game with a chance to extend its home winning streak to six games and its unbeaten run to 11. The 32-year-old forward’s goals powered the Boys in Blue back to the top of the Fall Season Standings. Zayed then went the full 90 minutes in a dramatic 1-0 win against Ottawa Fury FC to extend the respective home streaks even further.
“Eamon has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and that natural scorer’s instinct is why we were keen to bring him to Indy Eleven,” said Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson. “His sense to attack the six-yard box and ability to get on the end of crosses has been and will continue to be crucial to our ability to win points.”
Zayed’s 11 goals set the record for most scored in a single season by an Indy player, as well as the club’s career goalscoring mark. Throughout the Spring and Fall Season, Zayed has delivered the attacking punch at Michael A. Carroll Stadium, scoring 10 times in front of the home support. Zayed tallied his first hat trick of the year in a 4-1 win over the Carolina RailHawks in June. The result ended up clinching the Spring Season title for the Eleven.
Zayed joined Indy prior to the start of the 2016 season after plying his trade for Sabah in the Malaysian Premier League. The former Leicester City Academy player has also spent time in his native Ireland, as well as the professional ranks in Iran and Norway.
Indy Eleven remains in the Circle City to prepare for its upcoming home encounter against Rayo OKC, which sits in fourth place and just three points off Indy’s pace in the Fall Season Standings. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Check out Zayed’s hat trick performance versus Jacksonville Armada FC:
Source/Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
