D.C. United forward Luciano Emilio was selected as Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for his two-goal performance in United's (8-6-3, 27 pts) 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Sunday, Aug. 5. This marks the second time this season that the 28-year old Brazilian-born striker has captured Player of the Week Honors.
D.C. United opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Josh Gros poked home a rebound of Clyde Simms' long-range effort. Emilio doubled the lead just nine minutes later when teammate Guy Roland-Kpene split the Revolution defense with a brilliant pass, leaving Emilio with a simple right-footed finish past stranded Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis. In the second-half, D.C. executed a clever free kick. After being fouled, Emilio jumped up to play a quick one-two pass with midfielder Ben Olsen. The first-year United striker broke in alone and put the ball through Reis's legs in the 76th minute to seal the victory for the visitors.
Having played professionally in Brazil, Germany, Honduras and Mexico, Emilio brings a wealth of experience to the League. In his first 17 games, he has scored 12 goals, tying him with Kansas City Wizards forward Eddie Johnson for the League lead. His pace, movement off the ball, and goal-scoring touch have been critical for United, who recently have been without the services of the injured Jaime Moreno.
The 3-0 score set an important tone for D.C., who have struggled with consistency this season. United entered the game in fifth place in a crowded Eastern Conference. The 2006 Supporters Shield winners had a tough task as they looked to pick up points on the road against League-leading New England. With the victory, United leapfrogged the Columbus Crew (26 points) into third place, ahead of New York based on goal differential.
D.C. United return to action in this week's MLS Primetime Thursday match on ESPN2. They meet the Los Angeles Galaxy at RFK Stadium at 7:00 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).
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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)
