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MLS Weekly

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


Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco Wins MLS Player of the Week for Week 18

Chicago 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.

This is the second MLS Player of the Week Award for the 36-year-old from Mexico City, Mexico. Blanco and the Fire are back in action on Saturday, July 25 when they travel to face Seattle Sounders FC at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN Deportes). For more on Barrett click here.

The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com.

Los Angeles Galaxy surge; Eastern Conference race tight at the top

After beginning the season 1-1-9, the Los Angeles Galaxy have won four straight games and occupy third place in the Western Conference, tied on points with Chivas USA. Landon Donovan continued his inspired play with a goal and an assist in the Galaxy's 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls. Donovan's seven goals and five assists in 13 games have the Galaxy (6-3-9, 27 points) trailing the Seattle Sounders (7-3-7, 28 points) and the Houston Dynamo (9-4-5, 32 points).

A mere two points separate the top four clubs in the Eastern Conference. The Chicago Fire kept hold of first place with 2-0 victory over San Jose for a 7-3-7 record and 28 points. D.C. United and the Columbus Crew are tied in second place with the identical record of 6-3-9, 27 points. A draw at home gave Toronto FC a 7-6-5 record and 26 points.

MLS Quotables

Chicago Fire Forward Patrick Nyarko on his game winning goal:

"When [Blanco] got the ball, I just needed to make the run, he's one of the few people who can find me with that ball and all I needed to do was get contact in front of the goal and it went in."

Seattle Sounders FC manager Sigi Schmid on the crowd turnout for the Sounders FC match with Chelsea FC:

"It was definitely a Seattle Sounders home game. Fans were coming out to see Chelsea as well, but people were there to support our team, and that's tremendous because you don't get that all the time in the States when a team comes to visit. ... Obviously the result is something we would like to have turned out a little bit better, but I was proud of the way we played and certainly proud of the support we got."

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham on his return to Giants Stadium:

"It's sometimes nice to get the boos. It gives you some inspiration. When we play like we did and win like we did, the boos start to go away after a while"

Previewing Week 19: July 24-25, 2009

(All Times Eastern)

Friday, July 24

FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake, 10:00 p.m. (DK, Match Center)

- FC Dallas just acquired St. Kitts and Nevis international Atiba Harris from Chivas USA, adding bite to their attack in the absence of Kenny Cooper, the team's leading scorer, who is with the U.S. national team. Real Salt Lake hopes that their propensity to score at Rio Tinto Stadium (2.38 goals per game average) will help them to a win against FC Dallas, who have scored an average of 0.88 goals a game on the road. On Saturday Real Salt Lake got a goal from rookie Raphael Cox, whose pace and strong left foot are an asset.

Saturday, July 25

Chicago Fire at Seattle Sounders FC, 3:00 p.m. (ESPN, Deportes)

- MLS All-Star Fredy Montero is on a five-game scoring streak that began with a 2-1 win June 13 against San Jose. Chicago currently leads the East in large part due to its 5-1-3 road record. Midfield maestro Cuauhtémoc Blanco leads the League with seven assists and has four goals this season. Blanco contributed a goal and an assist in Saturday's 2-0 Toronto victory, coming on as a 60th minute substitute. The opponents last met May 2 in a 1-1 draw at Toyota Park.

Toronto FC at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. (DK, Match Center)

- These northern rivals have a score to settle, having tied their two previous meetings by 1-1 scores. The Crew could break the MLS record for consecutive home games without a loss; their current run of 18 is tied with San Jose's 2004-05 streak. Unsatisfied with its draw against league-leading Houston on Saturday, Toronto sits just one point behind Columbus. Usually playing in a reserve role, forwards Jason Garey and Steven Lenhart scored the goals in the Crew's 3-1 win against Real Salt Lake on Saturday. In eight all-time matches against the Crew, Toronto has yet to win.

New England Revolution at Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET (DK, MatchCenter)

- The New England Revolution (5-5-5) travel to Houston to take on the Dynamo (9-4-5). The Dynamo (9-4-5) tied Toronto FC 1-1 this past weekend and sit atop the Western Conference with an MLS best 32 points. The Revolution (5-5-5) got a much-needed victory over Chivas USA on Sunday with Shalrie Joseph as the fulcrum of the attack. The Dynamo traveled to New England in early May and dealt the Revolution a 2-0 loss, as Stuart Holden and Brian Ching scored.

Los Angeles Galaxy at Kansas City Wizards, 9:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

- The Los Angeles Galaxy return to League play on Saturday when they travel to Kansas City to take on the Wizards. The Wizards are thirsty for a win after two losses and three ties in their last five League games. The teams tied 1-1 earlier this season when Davy Arnaud and Edson Buddle traded late goals. The Galaxy have lost just two games since April 7th, and look to extend a four-game winning streak.

New York Red Bulls at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m. ET (DK, MatchCenter)

- The 2-14-4 New York Red Bulls desperately try to begin salvaging their season with this match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. In their first meeting this season, the Rapids escaped Giants Stadium with a 3-2 victory. The Rapids need points to keep pace in the West and have lost only one home game in 2009 - a 2-1 decision to Chicago-so the Red Bulls' search to end their road woes will be difficult.

D.C. United at San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m. (FSC, FSE)

- D.C. United (6-3-9) have been very consistent during the first half of the season. United have yet to lose more than one League game in a single month. United's 27 points put them in a tie for second place in the Eastern Conference with the Columbus Crew. San Jose (3-10-4) have struggled this season, allowing 33 goals in 17 games this season. The good news for the Earthquakes is that all three of United's losses have come on the road, while the 'Quakes three wins have all been on their own turf.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 20, 2009


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