NEW YORK (August 21, 2007) - New York Red Bulls forward Jozy Altidore was selected as Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for his performance against the Los Angeles Galaxy in Week 20. Altidore had two goals while helping the Red Bulls (10-7-3, 33 pts) to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the visiting Galaxy.
A crowd of 66,237, a record for an MLS regular season game at Giants Stadium, created an electric atmosphere, and the players responded with an explosive opening 10 minutes. Juan Pablo Angel scored four minutes into the match off a free kick, but the Galaxy responded with two in quick succession to give Los Angeles an early 2-1 lead. Just before halftime, Red Bulls midfielder Clint Mathis hit a full volley into the roof of the net to set the Red Bulls record for most goals scored in all competitions with 45, passing Giovanni Savarese.
With the score level at 2-2, Altidore took center stage. Four minutes into the second half, the 17-year-old American took Mathis' through ball in stride and coolly slotted the ball past Galaxy keeper Joe Cannon. It was his next goal, however, that brought the New York crowd to its feet. After picking up the ball on the left wing, Altidore cut into the Galaxy box before gliding past two Galaxy players. With space at the top of the box, Altidore rifled home a right footed shot that beat Cannon at the near post.
The Galaxy wasted little time before responding with a goal of their own, scoring a minute later courtesy of Landon Donovan. In the 82nd minute, Los Angeles drew level when Edson Buddle knocked in a loose ball, created off a David Beckham corner kick. With the match headed for a 4-4 draw, Angel notched the game winner in the closing minutes, bringing an end to one of the most enthralling matches in the history of MLS.
Altidore's performance in the victory showed why he's regarded as one of America's most promising young players. This marks the first time Altidore has received MLS Player of the Week honors. In 15 games this season, he has scored seven goals and assisted on four others. The Florida native has formed a lethal partnership with fellow Red Bulls forward Angel. In New York's last two games, the pair have accounted for seven of Red Bulls eight goals. Altidore's goal haul this season becomes even more impressive considering his involvement in the U-20 World Cup which caused him to miss several matches in June and July.
The Red Bulls have won three of their past four games and currently have the second highest goals scored total in the League. They are tied with D.C. United in points (33), but sit in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference due to goal differential, six points behind the conference leading New England Revolution. Altidore and the Red Bulls return to action against D.C. United on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at RFK Stadium. The game will air on Direct Kick at 7:30 pm ET.
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)
