Forward Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy today was selected as the Honda MLS Player of the Week by the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA) for Week 2 which ended on April 9, 2005. Donovan's two goals and one assist in his debut game with the team lifted the Galaxy to a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in front of a sold-out crowd at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night. This is the third player of the week recognition for Donovan, who also claimed the honor twice while with the San Jose Earthquakes (Week 19, 2001; Week 25, 2003).
Donovan gave the Galaxy the first lead of the game in the ninth minute of play. Chris Albright sent a centering pass from the right side which Jovan Kirovski one-touched to Donovan near the top of the box. The 23-year old cut the ball to his left and shot to the near post past a diving D.J. Countess. The goal for Donovan tied a franchise mark held by Jorge Salcedo as the quickest goal scored in a Galaxy debut (April 20, 1996).
After Real had tied the game in at the half hour mark, Donovan struck again right before the half to regain the lead. Guillermo Ramirez ran down a ball on the left and sent a cross that was deflected high into the air, eventually falling at the back post. Donovan quickly pounced, heading home from close range in front of defender Matt Behncke for his second goal of the game. He became the third player in MLS history to score twice in the first half of a debut for a new team. Hristo Stoitchkov on March 18, 2000 for the Chicago Fire and Raul Diaz Arce on June 16, 2001 for the Colorado Rapids also performed the feat.
Donovan helped put away the visitors with an assist on Cobi Jones' goal in the 72 minute.
Brad Davis of the San Jose Earthquakes and the New England Revolution's Clint Dempsey also received votes. The Honda Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected every week throughout the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA).
2005 PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNER
Week 1: Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew)
Week 2: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
