NEW YORK - FC Dallas midfielder Juan Toja was selected as Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for his two-goal performance against D.C. United in Week 15. Saturday, July 14 Toja led FC Dallas on a spectacular comeback as he scored two late goals that helped earn FC Dallas (9-6-3, 30 pts) a 3-3 tie on the road versus D.C. United.
Luciano Emilio's second goal of the match for D.C. United put FC Dallas in a 3-0 hole just two minutes into the second half, but an immediate response from Carlos Ruiz ignited the Dallas side. Toja was at the forefront of the momentum swing, his energy and athleticism posing problems for the United defense. In the 71st minute, the 22-year-old Colombian finally got on the board. A lofted through-ball from Ruiz landed at Toja's feet and the wild-maned forward outmuscled midfielder Brian Carroll to fire past Troy Perkins at the near post. Ten minutes later Toja put Dallas level, rising above Perkins to nod the ball into an empty net and silence the crowd of nearly 21,000 in the nation's capital.
This is Toja's first season in MLS, signing in February from Argentine giants River Plate. With six goals in 18 matches, Toja has become an integral part of the FC Dallas side and is currently second in the League for minutes played this season. Strong and skillful on the ball, Toja has pestered opposing defenses and constantly tests keeper with his powerful shots and dangerous headers. His good form this season was rewarded with a selection to the MLS All-Star First XI. Toja has also become a fan-favorite for his unique look inspired by famous American rock and heavy metal bands.
With the tie, FC Dallas denied D.C. United a place atop the Eastern Conference leaderboard, while placing a firm hold on its second place spot behind Houston in the Western Conference. FC Dallas return to action July 24 when they meet CD Guadalajara at Pizza Hut Park in the inaugural SuperLiga tournament. The game will air at 9:00 p.m. ET on TeleFutura.
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)
