San Jose's Graziani Named Player of the Week
Published on April 22, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Monday, April 22, 2002) - San Jose forward Ariel Graziani has been selected as Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for the week ending April 21, 2002. Graziani registered a goal and an assist on Saturday night as the San Jose Earthquakes downed the Colorado Rapids 2-0 at Spartan Stadium.
The goal was Graziani's first in a San Jose uniform since arriving from the Dallas Burn in a February 8 trade. The win moved the defending MLS Cup champions to the top of the Western Conference standings with a 3-2-0 record (9 pts), one point ahead of rivals and MLS Cup 2001 runner-ups - the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Graziani, acquired from the Burn in a pre-season trade for Ronald Cerritos, netted what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the 26th minute of play to give San Jose an early 1-0 advantage. Quakes defender Jimmy Conrad curled a long pass to the left flank to a waiting Wade Barrett. Barrett then played the ball into the penalty area for Graziani, who out-muscled Colorado defender Robin Fraser and moved in one-on-one to the goal. Garlick broke off his line to cut down the shooting angle, but Graziani's far post shot from five yards out would not be denied and San Jose would never look back.
"I was looking for a long time to get that first goal and I feel very happy to have gotten it," said Graziani, who made his fifth appearance for the Earthquakes. "Every goal-scorer feels pressure when they are not scoring, so I'm glad that I was able to do it tonight."
Capping his night off, Graziani sent a brilliant through ball to Donovan, which led to the second Earthquakes goal in the 74th minute. Graziani threaded a pass through the middle of the Colorado defense and Donovan met the pass in stride, rounding Garlick and sending the ball into the back of the net for the insurance goal.
The Earthquakes' fifth match of the season was the first in which the attacking trio of Graziani, forward Dwayne DeRosario and midfielder/forward Landon Donovan were all in the starting lineup. In past games, Graziani has been paired with Donovan or DeRosario as the second forward. Against the Rapids, Donovan assumed the central midfield spot of Ronnie Ekelund, who sat out with a red card suspension, allowing Graziani to the start for the third time.
Graziani, who has now captured MLS Player of the Week honors four times since joining the League in 1999, outdistanced D.C. United forward Ali Curtis, New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman, Chicago Fire midfielder Kelly Gray, and Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton in the voting for the honor. 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 April 22, 2002
- Cobi Jones Named to U.S. World Cup Roster - LA Galaxy
- 12 MLS Players Named to U.S. World Cup Team - MLS
- Crew Notes/vs. D.C. United Preview - Columbus Crew SC
- Wizards Face Santos Laguna This Wednesday - Sporting Kansas City
- MetroStars Weekly Report - Red Bull New York
- Eddie Pope Named to United States World Cup Team - D.C. United
- Crew's McBride Named to 2002 U.S. World Cup Team - Columbus Crew SC
- Chicago Fire Weekly - Chicago Fire FC
- Landon Donovan, Jeff Agoos Named to the 2002 United States World Cup Roster - San Jose Earthquakes
- Dallas Burn Weekly Update - FC Dallas
- San Jose's Graziani Named Player of the Week - MLS
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