PLAYER OF THE WEEK | Ottawa Forward Tom Heinemann

League-leading Ottawa Fury FC is hitting top form as it enters the final stretch of the NASL Fall Season, and one of the many players helping the club inch closer to a postseason spot is Tom Heinemann. The 28-year-old forward scored three goals in Ottawa’s pair of road victories last week, and as a result of his performances, he has been named NASL Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.

In a top-of-the-table clash with the New York Cosmos last Tuesday, Ottawa accomplished what no other team had been able to in 18 previous attempts in New York – beat them. Heinemann forced an own goal late in the match and then found the back of the net a minute later to seal Fury FC’s 4-1 win. He then followed that up with another top-notch performance against the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday, scoring the first two goals in a 3-1 victory.

“This past week was an entire team effort and every person on our squad deserves credit for that,” Heinemann said. “I give glory and honor to the Lord in everything I do, and I’m excited as we approach the final stretch of the season.”

Ottawa has led the Fall Season Standings for weeks, but its pair of road wins over New York and Carolina lifted the club to the top of the Combined Standings as well. Fury FC also added to its banner season, extending its record road unbeaten streak to nine games and tying another record with its sixth straight road win.

“Tom has had a fantastic run in the Fall Season,” said Fury FC Coach Marc Dos Santos. “Things didn't start well for him in the beginning of the year, but he was willing to change things in his game and become a more complete player. He's worked with a lot of character and integrity and fully deserves to be named Player of the Week."

A two-time All-America selection at NCAA Division II school Rockhurst University, Heinemann started his career with the Charleston Battery and later joined the Carolina RailHawks in the 2010 season. He spent the next three seasons in Major League Soccer – two with Columbus Crew and one with Vancouver Whitecaps FC - before linking up with Fury FC for the club’s inaugural NASL campaign in 2014. 

After a long and successful road trip, Heinemann and his teammates are back in Ottawa to host Canadian rival FC Edmonton in a possible postseason preview on Sunday at TD Place. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET, and the match can be seen live on ESPN3 in the U.S. and OttawaFuryFC.com in Canada.