Real Salt Lake forward Robbie Findley was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 10 of the 2008 season. Findley was the catalyst for Real Salt Lake's 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, after he entered the game at halftime and scored the game's first goal and provided the assist on the game winning goal last Saturday.
Real Salt Lake looked to get on the board first when they won a penalty kick in the second minute, but Joe Cannon made a save on Javier Morales' attempt and Real Salt Lake was unable to capitalize.
Findley entered in the scoreless game at halftime for Fabian Espindola, who suffered a left knee sprain. It didn't take long for Findley to make an impact on the game. In the 48th minute, Morales sent a long diagonal ball from midfield to Findley, who corralled the ball on the left touch line and made a quick move toward the center of the field to shed his defender. He then unleashed a low drive from 23 yards out that beat Cannon at the near post.
Findley would connect with Morales on a beautiful combination in the 60th minute. Morales collected a loose ball and streaked up the middle of the field and laid the ball off to Findley, who played a perfectly weighted one-touch pass back to Morales leaving him alone versus Cannon. Morales slotted the ball home for the 2-0 lead and what proved to be the game-winning goal.
Real Salt Lake added another goal in 73rd minute, when Dema Kovalenko converted from the penalty spot after Nick Garcia pulled down Andy Williams in the box. San Jose's John Cunliffe scored the Earthquake's only goal in 84th minute and the game finished 3-1.
This is the first Player of the Week award for Findley, who joined Real Salt Lake in June 2007 in a trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy that he and Nathan Sturgis to Real Salt Lake for Chris Klein. Last season Findley led all rookies with eight goals and was Real Salt Lake's Golden Boot winner.
Real Salt Lake is back in action on Saturday, June 7, at 9 p.m. ET, when they host the Kansas City Wizards.
The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
2008 Player of the Week Winners
Week 1:
Terry Cooke (Colorado Rapids)
Week 2:
David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 3:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Week 4:
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 5:
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 6:
David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 7:
Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
Week 8:
Edson Buddle (Los Angles Galaxy)
Week 9:
Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire)
Week 10:
Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
