New York, NY –  Portland Timbers midfielder Kalif Alhassan was named Major League Soccer Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2012 MLS season, it was announced Tuesday.

Alhassan recorded a goal and an assist in Portland's 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union at Jeld-Wen Field on Monday. He provided the game-winning assist in the 66th minute with a cross that was nodded home by Kris Boyd, and then extended the lead 10 minutes later with his first career MLS goal. Alhassan broke free on the right side of the box and chipped a beautiful effort over the head of Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath and into the side netting.

It is the first time that a Portland Timbers player has received Player of the Week honors since the club joined MLS last season.

The MLS Player of the Week award is selected each week by the North American Soccer Reporters. The group consists of members of online, print, television, radio media. More information can be found at soccerreporters.com.

2012 MLS Player of the Week winners:

Week 1: Kalif Alhassan (Portland Timbers)