Washington, D.C. (September 10, 2007) - Major League Soccer announced today United's Luciano Emilio has been named MLS Player of the week following two straight two-goal performances. It is the third time this season the leading MLS MVP candidate has earned Player of the Week honors - the first time in club history a player has done so.
Emilio earned the weekly award after he notched two tallies on Thursday in the club's 2-2 draw with Chivas USA and then followed with another two goals in United's 4-2 win over New England on Sunday. Emilio's honor is the sixth time this season a United player has been named Player of the Week, equaling last year's record of sixth weekly honors. In addition to Emilio's three honors (Weeks 11, 18 & 23), Ben Olsen has been honored twice (Weeks 10 & 22) and Nicholas Addlery once (Week 13).
Emilio was signed as a Senior International player on Jan. 16, 2007, from Honduran side Club Deportivo Olimpia. He played against his former club as a member of United in the 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup and scored four goals in four Champions Cup games. This year, he has 18 goals in League play, four more than New York's Juan Pablo Angel and Kansas City's Eddie Johnson. His four game-winning goals are tied for third most in MLS, while his five multi-goals games lead all players. The Brazilian has scored eight goals during the team's eight game unbeaten streak (7-0-1).
With the win over the Revolution, United (14-6-4, 46 points) sits in first place in Major League Soccer, four points clear of New England in the Eastern Conference. A win on Wednesday guarantees the Black-and-Red a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
