Joe Franchino's third minute tally, which concluded a spectacular passing combination in the New England Revolution's 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy, was voted by fans as the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week for the week ending May 1, 2004 (Week 5). Franchino's goal was his first of the year and his first goal in the run of play since the 2000 season.
The weekly 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 34 percent of the votes, the seven-year MLS veteran was selected ahead of San Jose Earthquakes defender Troy Dayak who received 28 percent for his header against D.C. United. The other candidates receiving votes were D.C. United midfielder Dema Kovalenko and Chicago Fire teammates Ante Razov and Dipsy Selolwane.
Franchino finished a clinical attack as he gave the Revolution the early lead. New England striker Taylor Twellman dribbled the ball into the Galaxy box and back-heeled the ball past two Galaxy defenders to teammate Pat Noonan, who was situated near the top of the box. Noonan used a first-time pass to spot an unmarked Franchino to his left, and the Revs' left midfielder easily slotted the ball home inside the far post.
"I knew as soon as the ball rolled to Pat that he saw me," said Franchino to the Boston Herald. "He just cut it back to me and I went to the far post. I just tried to place it in the net. (Assistant coach) Paul Mariner is always telling us to put it by the goalkeeper. You don't have to blast it. Just place it."
Franchino, who this season has moved from his customary role of defender to a left midfield position, had scored one goal in each of the previous two seasons -- and both were scored on direct free kicks. His last goal from the run of play came in a season-ending 4-3 win over the MetroStars on September 9, 2000.
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)
