A sensational strike by forward Freddy Adu in D.C. United's 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy last Wednesday, May 19 was voted by fans as the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week for the week ending May 23, 2004 (Week Eight). Adu, who took part in his high school graduation ceremonies two days later, becomes the youngest MLS player to ever win the award.
The weekly Goal of the Week winner is determined from a selection of finalists through a fan vote conducted on the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week section of Major League Soccer's official web site: www.MLSnet.com.
With an overwhelming 68 percent of the vote, the MLS rookie easily beat out Galaxy forward Alejandro Moreno, whose heel flick in the same game received 17 percent of the ballots. The other forwards earning votes for their efforts were Colorado Rapids forwards Jean Philippe Peguero and Zizi Roberts, and Galaxy forward Joseph Ngwenya.
After entering the game in the 60th minute, the youngster needed just seven minutes to leave his mark on the match with his second goal of the season. Collecting the ball on the right flank, Adu cut inside and went on a brilliant individual run through the Galaxy penalty area, faking several defenders before depositing the ball in the top left corner with a left-footed strike for his second professional goal.
"I got the ball in a great position," Adu said after the game. "That's my strength. I took a few touches inside, beat the defender and got a good shot on goal. The reason I was so open to receive the pass was because there were several guys who were making the right runs.
"That's my strength -- going at people, taking the ball to them, and I got the ball in the perfect position," Adu said. "I saw the floodgates just open, I saw the chance to take the ball and get a good shot on goal, and I took advantage of it."
Adu is the fourth United forward whose goal has won the Goal of the Week honors this year following Alecko Eskandarian (Week One), Ronald Cerritos (Week Two) and Jaime Moreno (Week Seven).
Streaming video highlights and goals from MLS games are available for viewing every weekend on MLSnet.com just hours after the conclusion of the final match of the weekend. The Sierra Mist Goal of the Week winner is announced the following Wednesday.
At the end of the regular season, each of the 29 Goal of the Week winners selected throughout the season will be featured in voting for the Sierra Mist MLS Goal of the Year, an award presented annually to the author of the season's most spectacular scoring play. The Sierra Mist Goal of the Year award will be presented at the annual Gala Awards ceremony in the days leading up to MLS Cup 2004.
2004 SIERRA MIST GOAL OF THE WEEK WINNERS:
Week 1: Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United)
Week 2: Ronald Cerritos (D.C. United)
Week 3: Dwayne De Rosario (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 4: Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 5: Joe Franchino (New England Revolution)
Week 6: Cornell Glen (MetroStars)
Week 7: Jaime Moreno (D.C. United)
Week 8: Freddy Adu (D.C. United)
