MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake FW Pablo Campos named MLS Player of the Week

Published on August 31, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah (Monday, August 31, 2009) - Real Salt Lake forward Pablo Campos was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 24 of the 2009 season. Making his first two starts for Real Salt Lake last week, the midseason acquisition from the San Jose Earthquakes scored the game-winning goal in both matches last week, keeping Real Salt Lake in contention for a playoff wild card spot. Campos bested Galaxy midfielder David Beckham and teammate Robbie Findley, as they tied for the next most votes from media members.

Looking to rebound from a 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution the week prior, head coach Jason Kreis made three changes to his Real Salt Lake starting lineup prior to Wednesday's match against Chivas USA, including inserting Campos up top alongside Argentine teammate Fabian Espíndola. Chivas USA, boasting one of the stingiest defenses in the League was proving hard to beat, but Real Salt Lake created several scoring chances in the first half and was able to capitalize in the 43rd minute, when the South American forwards combined to break the deadlock with what would prove to be the game-winning goal.

Finding space behind the Chivas USA backline, Espíndola brought down a Kyle Beckerman pass, carried it up the field and sent a left-footed cross into the middle of the penalty area. Campos snuck in between two Chivas USA central defenders and rose to head the ball past a helpless Zach Thornton in goal. Espíndola added a goal of his own in the 75th minute before Findley, Campos' second half replacement, added goals in the 85th and 90th minutes to round out RSL's impressive 4-0 win over its Western Conference foes.

Playing their second game in four days, Real Salt Lake made five changes to the starting lineup when it traveled to CommunityAmerica ballpark to take on the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday evening. Campos was one of the six players to keep their place in the starting 11, and he showed quickly why he earned the nod.

In the 18th minute, Real Salt Lake defender Robbie Russell broke down the right side and fed the ball inside to midfielder Andy Williams. Russell continued his run into the penalty area for the return pass, but Williams instead chose to play a first-time pass into Campos, who met Williams' low pass and coolly redirected the ball with his first touch into the bottom right corner of Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman's goal. The goal was unanswered and held up as Real Salt Lake recorded its second win of the week.

This is the first MLS Player of the Week Award for the forward from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Following a standout collegiate career at Fresno Pacific University, where he was named an All-American, Campos signed a professional contract with Swedish Allsvenskan team GAIS. In the 2009 offseason, Campos signed for the San Jose Earthquakes and scored two goals in 14 appearances before joining Real Salt Lake via a trade on July 15. Campos has four goals and three assists in his first MLS season, including two goals and one assist in his seven appearances with the Utah side. Campos' MLS Player of the Week award is the third bestowed upon a member of Real Salt Lake this season, joining MF Javier Morales (Week 6) and FW Yura Movsisyan (Week 19).

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 31, 2009


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