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Red Bulls Macoumba Kandji Foward Wins MLS Player of the Week Award

May 11, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


SECAUCUS, NJ (May 11, 2009) - New York Red Bulls forward Macoumba Kandji was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 8 after he had a hand in all four of the Red Bulls' goals in New York's 4-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes last Friday night at Giants Stadium. It is the first time that Kandji has earned Player of the Week honors in his career and he is the first Red Bull to win the award in 2009.

Kandji, 23, helped the Red Bulls gain the lead when he was fouled by Nick Garcia by the right sideline, leading to teammate Jorge Rojas' ensuing free kick goal in the seventh minute. Six minutes later, Kandji earned his second assist of the season when he flicked on a Carlos Johnson throw-in into Rojas' path and Rojas headed it in from close range. The Senegalese forward tallied his second assist of the match in the 22nd minute. After receiving the ball in San Jose's half from Albert Celades, Kandji took a touch before hitting a low cross that teammate Juan Pablo Angel one-timed into the back of the net.

Kandji rounded out the Red Bulls' scoring spree five minutes before halftime with a goal of his own. He dispossessed San Jose defender Kelly Gray in the back before racing towards goal and hitting a shot past San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon for his second goal of the season. The four goals scored in the opening 45 minutes set a club record for the most goals scored in a first half.

The Dakar, Senegal native is in the midst of his first full season for the Red Bulls after signing on Sept. 15, 2008 from the Atlanta Silverbacks of the United Soccer League's First Division. Last season, Kandji scored a goal and two assists in five games played. This season, the 6-4, 175-pound forward has two goals and three assists - a team high - in eight games this season.

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 www.soccerreporters.com.

The 2008 MLS Cup Finalist Red Bulls continue a four-game homestand on Saturday, May 16, when they take on the Houston Dynamo at Giants Stadium at 7:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WQBU 92.7). For tickets, call the Red Bulls at 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

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