Razov Named Player of the Week
Published on July 29, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
CHICAGO (Monday, July 29, 2002) - Chicago Fire forward Ante Razov has been selected as Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for the week ending July 28, 2002. With two goals and an assist, Razov was involved in all three Chicago goals in its 3-0 win over the MetroStars in the "Soccer Saturday" Game of the Week on ESPN2 at Cardinal Stadium in Naperville, Illinois. It was a critical victory for the Fire as it moved to within two points of the first-place MetroStars in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Fire's all-time leading scorer (55 goals, 26 assists, and 136 points) moved into fourth place in the Budweiser Scoring Championship with 26 points (11g, 4a) in 16 games (tied with Dallas' Jason Kreis with 26 points). It is the sixth time Razov has received Player of the Week honors, including Week 9 when he registered a hat trick against the New England Revolution.
The 2002 U.S. World Cup alternate kicked off his productive day against the MetroStars with an assist on the Fire's opening goal in the sixth minute. His bending left-footed service in the box eventually fell to defender Jim Curtin, who knocked the ball into the net from close range for his first professional goal. Then as the MetroStars pushed numbers forward in the second half, he put the result out of reach with two goals in the span of eight minutes, capitalizing on defensive lapses.
Just four minutes into the second half forward partner Josh Wolff collected a 50 yard pass from Dema Kovalenko and advanced the ball into the box past Metros defender Ted Chronopoulos, serving the ball square to Razov, who deposited the ball in goal from close range. Then in the 57th minute he pounced on a headed back pass toward goal and lobbed goalkeeper Tim Howard to close the door on the Metros.
Razov edged out Los Angeles Galaxy scoring sensation Carlos Ruiz for the award. Major League Soccer's Player of the Week is selected every Monday throughout the MLS season by a panel of journalists from PSRA.
Major League Soccer Stories from July 29, 2002
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- MetroStars Weekly Report - New York Red Bulls
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- Dallas Burn Weekly Update - FC Dallas
- Fan Loyalty Night Aug. 10 - Colorado Rapids
- Wizards Attendance Showing Growth for Fourth Consecutive Year - Sporting Kansas City
- In the Hunt - Chicago Fire FC
- Earthquakes Weekly Update - San Jose Earthquakes
- Razov Named Player of the Week - MLS
- Crew, MetroStars Face Off Wednesday - Columbus Crew SC
- Dallas Rallies to Salvage 2-2 Tie with Rapids - Colorado Rapids
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