Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 5 of the 2008 season. This is the second consecutive week that Donovan has received the honor. Saturday, in the MLS SuperClasico versus in-town rivals Chivas USA, Donovan scored a hat trick and tallied an assist in a 5-2 victory. Led by Donovan, the Galaxy has a 2-2-1 record, 7 points, and they sit in second place in the Western Conference.
The first of seven goals on the night came in the 18th minute. Galaxy midfielder David Beckham sent a free kick into the penalty area; the ball was not immediately cleared from danger and fell to Donovan, who took a touch and then struck it with his left foot into the right side netting.
Chivas USA equalized in the 37th minute when Sacha Kljestan scored on a spectacular individual effort that almost mirrored his goal from two weeks ago in Columbus, when he curled a right footed shot into the top far corner of the goal.
The Galaxy took the lead back in the second half. In the 59th minute, Mike Randolph got free deep on the left side and played a ball back to Donovan at the penalty spot. Donovan and Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez battled for the ball, but Donovan eventually got free and hit the ball as he fell to the ground, beating goalkeeper Brad Guzan for his second goal.
Chivas USA tied the game once more in the 62nd minute. Justin Braun sent in a cross that deflected off of a Galaxy defender to Ante Razov, who coolly struck it home for the 110th goal of his career.
The Galaxy surged back in the 76th minute. This time Donovan sent in a cross from the right side of the field, which Lawson Vaughn cleared straight into the air. Guzan came out to gather the ball, but was beaten by second-half substitute Alan Gordon who managed to nod it past him to put the Galaxy up for good.
A minute later the Galaxy struck again. Gordon brought down a long ball with his chest and played a ball into Donovan a few yards outside of the 18-yard box. Donovan took a touch around his defender and took a shot that passed just inside the post for the hat trick. Donovan assisted on the final goal of the evening, scored by Gordon in the 84th minute.
Donovan's three-goal performance marks the second time he's achieved the feat. He notched a hat trick in 2003 versus Kansas City as a member of the San Jose Earthquakes. He now has 17 multi-goal games; a mark that's tied for second all-time with teammate Carlos Ruiz. Razov holds the record with 23.
Donovan currently leads the race for the Budweiser Golden Boot with eight goals in five games. This marks the seventh time Donovan has won the MLS Player of the Week honor, and marks the ninth time that a player has received consecutive Player of the Week awards. Donovan and the Galaxy are back in action on Saturday, May 3 when they travel to face Real Salt Lake at 9 p.m. 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 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)
