FC Dallas forward Carlos Ruiz was selected as the Honda MLS Player of the Week for Week 9 which ended on May 29, 2005. Ruiz scored both goals, one in spectacular fashion, in FC Dallas' 2-0 away win against D.C. United on Saturday, May 28 in RFK Stadium. The Guatemalan international, who leads MLS with seven goals, earns his first Player of the Week honors as a member of FC Dallas after having previously won on seven occasions while with the Los Angeles Galaxy (2002-2004).
Ruiz needed only four minutes after the halftime break to snap the scoreless tie. Teammate Roberto Mina entered the D.C. area from the right, and chipped a pass to the opposite side to an open Ruiz. With his back to the goal, Ruiz lifted and hit a full bike to the far side leaving United keeper Nick Rimando no chance to save.
In the 55th minute, Mina again combined with Ruiz on a play that led to Dallas' second goal. Mina lifted a header over defender Bobby Boswell and Ruiz raced onto the ball as Rimando advanced off his line. Ruiz chipped the ball past the keeper but was fouled before being able to put the ball away. The fourth year veteran calmly placed the penalty kick low and to the right past Rimando attempt.
Ruiz was the clear winner for the honor, with Chicago Fire midfielder Chris Armas as the runner up. 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 WINNERS
Week 1: Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew)
Week 2: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 3: Jon Busch (Columbus Crew)
Week 4: Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution)
Week 5: Amado Guevara (MetroStars)
Week 6: Freddy Adu (D.C. United)
Week 7: Josh Wolff (Kansas City Wizards)
Week 8: Ronnie O'Brien (FC Dallas)
Week 9: Carlos Ruiz (FC Dallas)
