11 who starred in MLS Week 9

• by Ridge Mahoney  @ridgemax, May 20, 2009

[TEAM OF THE WEEK] With five of the seven games played last weekend ending in ties, a lot of players turned in solid showings yet there were only a few outstanding performances. One of them, by Josh Wolff, earned him honors as MLS Player of the Week, yet there were several late goals, and admirable displays of ability.

GOALKEEPER
Kevin Hartman (Kansas City)
Pulled off several sharp saves at critical moments as the Wizards won at Real Salt Lake. His seven saves and all-around command just edges out both goalies in the Red Bulls-Dynamo game, Jon Conway and Pat Onstad, respectively.

DEFENDERS
Wilman Conde (Chicago)
Dominated the middle of the field, nearly scored with a header off a corner kick, and used his touches wisely to lead a strong effort that blunted TFC's attack for most of a 2-0 victory at BMO Field.

Pablo Ricchetti (FC Dallas)
Moved from midfield to the back line as FCD carved out a 1-1 tie with Seattle by playing a 3-5-2 formation for a solid second half after being dominated for the first 45 minutes.

Kevin Goldthwaite (New York)
Strong and resolute in the back as the Red Bulls earned a 1-1 tie with Houston playing a man down for 55 minutes. Ran down Kei Kamara on a pass slipped into the channel, and shook off a hard fall when tumbling over him to win a head ball.

Andrew Hainault (Houston)
Played both outside back slots as Dynamo extended shutout streak to 491 minutes and after John Wolyniec scored in the 88th minute, Hainault - in just his second MLS start - blocked shots by Macoumba Kandji and Wolyniec in a bang-bang sequence to preserve the point.

MIDFIELDERS
Dave van den Bergh (FC Dallas)
Supplied his usual allotment of teasing crosses on set pieces and during the run of play as Dallas battled to a 1-1 tie with Seattle.

Eddie Lewis (Los Angeles)
Rescued a point with a spectacular first-time blast from 30 yards out in stoppage time to rally the Galaxy level with the Crew (1-1).

Santino Quaranta (D.C. United)
Another late-game hero whose dramatic strike, a 30-yard grass-cutter in the 85th minute, earned D.C. United a 2-2 tie with Chivas USA at Home Depot Center after he'd set up the first goal with his fifth assist, which ties him for the league lead.

Atiba Harris (Chivas USA)
He set up both of his team's goals, and after he left in the 56th minute his team blew the two-goal lead, so there must be a connection.

FORWARD
Josh Wolff (Kansas City)
By scoring both goals in a 2-0 win at Real Salt Lake, he shares the league lead with Brian McBride (six goals) and is already more than halfway to his personal MLS best of 10 goals in a season.

John Wolyniec (New York)
Entered the game against Houston in the 82nd minute, just enough time to equalize with a poised chest trap, touch and low shot inside the far post, and nearly steal a win in stoppage time by pouncing on a rebound and firing an on-target effort that was blocked.