MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire midfielder Blanco voted MLS Player of the Week

Published on July 20, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (July 20, 2009) - Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 18 of the 2009 season. Blanco came on in the 60th minute and sparked the Fire with a goal and an assist in Chicago's 2-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.

The MLS All-Star shined as a second half substitute providing instant offense in a match that was deadlocked at 0-0. Blanco's impact was felt in the 82nd minute when he settled the ball at the top of the San Jose penalty area, cut to avoid a tackle, and sent a deft lob over the San Jose defense to a Patrick Nyarko. Nyarko connected with Blanco's pass, directing the ball past diving San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

Blanco put the finishing touch on the match with a goal of his own in the 92nd minute. With San Jose passing in its own end, Chicago Fire defender Wilman Conde intercepted a pass at the top of the penalty area. Conde quickly played a pass through to Blanco, who from 17 yards out stylishly chipped it to where Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon could not prevent it from going in the right corner.

With the 2-0 victory, the Chicago Fire are first in the Eastern Conference with a 7-3-7 record and 28 points. Blanco's assist, his League-leading seventh of the season, helped break a three-game scoreless streak for the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park.

This is the second MLS Player of the Week Award for Blanco. In his third season, the Chicago Fire's first Designated Player has been named an MLS All-Star for the second time. Blanco was named the 2008 MLS All-Star Game MVP for a goal and an assist in the first half of the MLS All-Star win over West Ham last year and was also selected for the 2008 MLS Best XI. In his first two years in MLS, the maestro midfielder has led the Chicago Fire to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals.

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