MetroStars' midfielder Amado Guevara was voted as the Honda MLS Player of the Week by the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA) for Week 5. Guevara recorded his first career hat-trick, helping the MetroStars defeat the Colorado Rapids 3-1 on Saturday, April 30 in Denver's INVESCO Field at Mile High. The 2004 Honda MLS Most Valuable Player earns his second career Player of the Week recognition (Week 13- 2004).
The Honduran international opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 26th minute after teammate Mike Magee had been tripped by Rapids goalkeeper Joe Cannon. Guevara's well-placed shot beat Cannon's diving attempt for his first goal of the season.
The MetroStars doubled their lead to 2-0 only minutes later, and again it was Guevara at the end of the play. Eddie Gaven sent a dangerous cross into the goal box from the right flank that Sergio Galvan Rey could not reach at the near post. Cannon had come out to block Galvan Rey, and found himself out of position as an unmarked Guevara collected the ball on the far side and fired on goal for his first-ever multi-goal game in MLS.
"When Amado is on his game it just makes the team so much better," Gaven told the North Jersey Herald News. "Guys are passing the ball, moving off of him and finding guys with the extra pass. It was just fun out there."
Guevara completed his hat trick in the 73rd minute, one-timing a blistering 25-yard shot that beat Cannon inside the upper left corner of the goal after a pass from Abbe Ibrahim following a Metros corner kick.
The 29-year old midfielder was selected ahead of New England Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey for the weekly award. The Honda Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected every week throughout the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA).
2005 PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNERS
Week 1: Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew)
Week 2: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 3: Jon Busch (Columbus Crew)
Week 4: Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution)
Week 5: Amado Guevara (MetroStars)
