NEW YORK - Chivas USA forward Ante Razov was selected as Major League's Soccer Player of the Week for his performance in two games during Week 17. On Thursday, July 26, Razov scored and recorded an assist while leading Chivas USA to a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls. On Sunday, July 29, Razov tallied another assist and had a strong performance in Chivas USA's thrilling 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Wizards.
Razov helped Chivas USA begin their four-game road trip on a winning note, heading home the eventual game-winner in the 38th minute versus the Red Bulls. Teammate Maykel Galindo was given space on the right flank and delivered a floated right-footed cross to Razov who rose between two Red Bulls defenders to power home the opener past goalkeeper Jon Conway. Late in the second half, Chivas USA wrapped up the win with a quick counter-attack. Razov's one-two pass with Sacha Kljestan opened up the Red Bulls defense, and the midfielder took advantage of Razov's perfectly weighted pass to put the game away.
On Sunday, July 29, Chivas USA traveled to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Wizards. Razov again had a hand in the opening goal, this time splitting the Wizards defense with a pinpoint pass to Jonathan Bornstein who finished through the legs of Kevin Hartman. Kansas City fought back and took the lead in the 53rd minute only for Chivas to equalize two minutes later. The end-to-end match was not decided until the 89th minute when Wizards forward Yura Movsisyan scored to give the Wizards a victory in one of the most exciting MLS games of the season.
With his goal at Giants Stadium, Razov took his All-Time MLS total to 104, third best in League history behind recently retired and now Real Salt Lake Head Coach Jason Kreis and D.C. United forward Jaime Moreno who each have 108 goals. Razov has taken the most shots in League history and has recorded the most so far this season. His knack for scoring important goals has led him to the second highest number of game-winning goals, 30, behind Kreis' 31, and he has the most multi-goal games in League history with 21. This marks the eighth time Razov has been named MLS Player of the Week. He's won the award six times as a member of the Chicago Fire and twice now with Chivas USA.
Chivas USA currently sits in third place in the Western Conference. Razov has helped lead his club to the best home record in the League as they are the only team in MLS to remain unbeaten on their home turf. In their last 12 games, Chivas has lost only three times. Razov and Chivas USA return to action Aug. 18 when they travel to BMO Field to take on Toronto FC
The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA).
2007 Player of the Week Winners
Week 1: Jeff Cunningham (Real Salt Lake)
Week 2: Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards)
Week 3: Maykel Galindo (Chivas USA)
Week 4: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 5: Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo)
Week 6: Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
Week 7: Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls)
Week 8: Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards)
Week 9: Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards)
Week 10: Ben Olsen (D.C. United)
Week 11: Luciano Emilio (D.C. United)
Week 12: Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo)
Week 13: Nicholas Addlery (D.C. United)
Week 14: Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo)
Week 15: Juan Toja (FC Dallas)
Week 16: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Week 17: Ante Razov (Chivas USA)
