New York Red Bulls Forward Luke Rodgers Voted MLS Player of the Week
April 18, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Monday, April 18, 2011) - New York Red Bulls forward Luke Rodgers was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 5 of the 2011 MLS season. Rodgers made the most of his starting role by tallying two goals and registering an assist in the Red Bulls 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.
Rodgers gave the Red Bulls a lead in just the second minute of play. Rafa Marquez swung in a corner kick which Dane Richards flicked to the back post. With a quick reaction, Rodgers headed it into the back of the net.
In the 15th minute, Henry stole the ball from defender Ramiro Corrales near the right corner of the box. He took a touch and sent a diagonal pass across the face of the goal just out of goalkeeper Jon Busch's reach. Rodgers' well-timed run put him in perfect position to double the Red Bulls' score.
In the second half, Rodgers went from goal scorer to facilitator. His passes put Henry in multiple scoring positions but the striker just couldn't convert until the 87th minute. Rodgers paused with the ball just outside the right corner of the area and then chipped a cross to the far post, where Henry placed a diving header into the far side netting.
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from 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/.
2011 MLS Players of the Week
Week 1: Omar Bravo, Sporting Kansas City
Week 2: Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake
Week 3: Camilo, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Week 4: David Ferreira, FC Dallas
Week 5: Luke Rodgers, New York Red Bulls
AT&T Goal of the Week nominees, according to MLSsoccer.com
Fans and media members can submit votes via text to 22442 for any of these five strikes:
Marco Pappa, CHI vs. POR (text G1)
Robbie Rogers, CLB vs. KC (text G2)
Carlos Ruiz, PHI vs. SEA (text G3)
Jorge Perlaza, POR vs. CHI (text G4)
Thierry Henry, NY vs. SJ (text G5)
Each week's winner, determined by the total number of votes cast online and via text, is posted on Fridays.
Text "GOAL" to 22442 to get the list of nominees sent to your mobile phone each week.
Voting runs from Noon ET on Mondays until 11:59 pm PT time on Thursdays. Last week's winner was Seattle's O'Brian White.
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