[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.