Nielsen stumps Galaxy, wins fifth SOTW honor

Kansas City Wizards goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen has picked up his fifth NAPA Save of the Week award, this time for a stop on the Galaxy’s Chris Birchall that was deemed by voters as the best save of Matchday 21.

Nielsen’s save helped preserve the Wizards’ 2-0 upset over the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, and earned the Danish netminder his first Save of the Week honor since Week 16. He has won more Save of the Week awards that any other goalkeeper in the league this season.

Nielsen earned roughly 53 percent of the vote, more than enough to top runner-up and three-time SOTW winner Sean Johnson of the Chicago Fire (37.5 percent). Johnson turned away a free kick from Fredy Montero during the Sounders’ 2-1 win over Chicago at Qwest Field.

Toronto’s Stefan Frei, FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd and Houston’s Pat Onstad rounded out the field.

1. Jimmy Nielsen, 53.32%

2. Sean Johnson, 37.52 %

3. Stefan Frei, 3.99%

4. Zach Loyd, 3.6%

5. Pat Onstad, 1.57%

NAPA Save of the Week Winners

Week 21: Jimmy Nielsen, Kansas City Wizards

Week 20: Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

Week 19: Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire

Week 18: Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire

Week 17: Kasey Keller, Seattle Sounders FC