A long-distance bender by Colorado left back Matt Crawford in the Rapids' 3-0 road win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday, August 14 was selected as the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week for the week ending August 15 (Week 20). The goal was Crawford's first of the season and the second of his MLS career.
The 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 the Rapids holding a 1-0 lead in Chicago, Jordan Cila delivered a throw-in down the left side which Joey DiGiamarino back-heeled to a streaking Crawford. The North Carolina grad made a move to separate himself from Fire defender Kelly Gray and ripped a shot from just outside the corner of the box that curved over goalkeeper Henry Ring into the right side of the goal.
Crawford's goal (30 percent) edged out a brilliant individual effort by Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston (26 percent) and Andy Williams' one-timer for the Chicago Fire (25 percent). Landon Donovan's header for the Earthquakes and John Spencer's midweek tally for the Rapids were also nominated.
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)
Week 9: John Wolyniec (MetroStars)
Week 10: Damani Ralph (Chicago Fire)
Week 11: Jeff Agoos (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 12: Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United)
Week 13: Jovan Kirovski (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 14: Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United)
Week 15: Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)
Week 16: Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 17: Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards)
Week 18: Amado Guevara (MetroStars)
Week 19: Dwayne De Rosario (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 20: Matt Crawford (Colorado Rapids)
