NEW YORK - Chivas USA forward Maykel Galindo was selected as Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for his performance during Week 21 of the MLS Regular Season. Galindo scored two goals including the game winner, in Chivas USA's 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday, Aug. 23. He played 11 minutes in his club's 1-0 win on Sunday versus Real Salt Lake.
On Thursday night in the MLS SuperClásico, Galindo did not disappoint as he led Chivas USA to victory over city rivals the Los Angeles Galaxy. In the 58th minute of a scoreless game, Galindo broke the tie with his ninth goal of the season as he pounced on a loose ball at the top of the penalty area and slid the shot past Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon. His second goal came on a nice counterattacking move by Chivas USA as Sacha Kljestan sent a pass from the center of the field down the left wing for Francisco Mendoza who played a one-touch pass behind the defense for Galindo. Cannon raced off his line to cut off the pass, but Galindo's speed was too much for the Galaxy defense. He touched the ball past Cannon into the left corner of the goal for a 2-0 lead and his 10th goal of the season.
Galindo, a 26 year-old native of Cuba, is in his first MLS season having joined Chivas USA from the USL first division Seattle Sounders. His play during this season has led Chivas USA to a record of 11-6-3, 36 points through 20 games, one more win than during the entire 2006 season. Galindo's 10 goals ranks fifth among League leaders in goals scored.
Galindo's story and recent success has been widely publicized. The newcomer to MLS sought political asylum in the United States while playing for the Cuban National Team at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Seattle. Chivas USA came calling for his services this season. The speedy young forward has made a lethal tandem with veteran forward Ante Razov.
This marks the second time Galindo has been named MLS Player of the Week. He was named MLS Player of the Week in Week three after his first two-goal performance of the season. Galindo and Chivas USA next host D.C. United on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
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)
Week 18: Luciano Emilio (D.C. United)
Week 19: Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls)
Week 20: Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls)
Week 21: Maykel Galindo (Chivas USA)
