Player of the Matchday

RSL's Alexandre wins first career Player of the Week award

Jean Alexandre of Real Salt Lake

It's one of the more unlikely stories in soccer.


A player gets moved from midfielder to forward because of injuries and international call-ups and, in his second-ever game at striker, he has a hand in both of his team's goals.


That story was not only worth a win for his club but also a Player of the Week award for Real Salt Lake's Jean Alexandre. This past Saturday against Vancouver, the 24-year-old collected a pass from captain Kyle Beckerman and used some fancy footwork to open the scoring in the 32nd minute at Rio Tinto Stadium.


Golazo! Unbelievable!” said Alexandre's strike partner, Fabián Espíndola. “It was like Cristiano Ronaldo.”


Alexandre then turned provider in the 79th minute, again using his quick feet to win a ball and knock it ahead to Espíndola, who would convert for a 2-0 lead that sealed the result.


Now in his third season as a professional after RSL made him the 12th overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, Alexandre made only his ninth career MLS start last Saturday.


The Haitian native is the second RSL player to win the honor this year after Javier Morales earned the North American Soccer Reporters vote in Week 2.


WATCH: FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - RSL 2, VAN 0

RSL's Alexandre wins first career Player of the Week award - Get Microsoft Silverlight

PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNERS

Week 12: Jean Alexandre (Real Salt Lake)


Week 11: Justin Mapp (Philadelphia Union)


Week 10: Jeff Parke (Seattle Sounders)


Week 9: Justin Braun (Chivas USA)


Week 8: Joao Plata (Toronto FC)


Week 7: Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo)


Week 6: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)


Week 5: Luke Rodgers (New York Red Bulls)


Week 4: David Ferreira (FC Dallas)


Week 3: Camilo (Vancouver Whitecaps)


Week 2: Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake)


Week 1: Omar Bravo (Sporting Kansas City)


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