August 8, 2014 League 1 Ontario--Player of the Week Jonathan Lao (from League 1 Ontario website)

  
Player of the Week - Jonathan Lao
. Fri Aug 8 
Written By: Kelly, Tim  

It doesn't take long at all to see just how important central midfielder Jonathan Lao is to the 
Vaughan Azzurri.

The self-assured footballer frequently helps set up attacks, takes free kicks, wins the ball, 
and - eight times this season - has found the back of the net himself in League 1 Ontario 
Soccer action.

Lao, along with Azzurri striker Andrew Ornoch, packs a formidable one-two punch for the Azzurri, 
and that was clearly on display in a recent 3-0 home field dismantling of the Kingston 
Cataraqui Clippers.

Ahead 2-0 and about fifteen minutes into the second half, the pair smoothly switched positions 
with Ornoch playing the role of distributor and Lao finisher to get the final goal. It was 
Lao's second of the game and eighth of the season to make the final 3-0.

Just turned twenty-one, the modest Lao gives credit to his teammates for his own success 
as second-leading goalscorer in the league after the August 3rd weekend's set of fixtures. 
Ornoch finished the matchweek tied for third with Emery Welshman, Alex Halis of Sigma FC 
and Lerohne Young of Durham United FC.

Molham Babouli of TFC Academy has a healthy lead on the rest of the league with 13 goals.

"I think a lot of it is the chemistry we have had throughout the year. With the work we put 
in and with players like (Andrew) Ornoch, Joey Cicchillo (who has four goals) and others, 
we work well together," said Lao.

"They know how to create space for everyone," he said.

Lao, a Markham native who still lives in the Toronto suburb, came to play in Vaughan this 
year after a request came from the coaching staff.

"They asked if I wanted to come here to play and I agreed. It's worked out well," he said.

A former TFC Academy player who was part of the TFC program for four years until about three 
years ago, Lao left the academy after what he said was a bad season. He played for other 
clubs until trying his hand in League 1 this year.

He has blended well with a strong Vaughan lineup that finds itself contending near the top 
of the League 1 table, pushing TFC Academy for the No. 1 position. Sigma FC has been the 
other standout team to this point, though Woodbridge, Windsor and Durham FC are all 
contenders as well.

For Lao, on a personal level, he's hoping, "something will happen. I'm always pushing 
to become a full pro. I always hope something happens, but until then I'm just going 
to work hard and hope for the best."

Lao and the Azzurri don't play again until Sunday, Aug. 17, when they have a home match 
at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan against Durham, 4 p.m. kickoff.

back to League 1 Ontario 2014 menu

.

.