Brian Kallman named Defensive Player of the Week

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.

Related: Montreal’s Pore named Offensive POTW

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.

“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.