If it was about one game, Vancouver’s Gershon Koffie would have taken the honor. Add in the broader significance of a performance, and Landon Donovan’s record-setting day becomes the choice. But if you factor in the entire seven-day period that culminated on Sunday, a third person becomes the clear choice for Player of the Week. Thankfully for Galaxy fans, that player is also on their team.
With two goals and two assists during the Galaxy’s six-point week, Robbie Keane was the best player in Major League Soccer, a performance that included creating the tap-in for Donovan’s record-setter on Sunday. Even before that, however, Keane had made his mark on the week, with his left-footed finish on Wednesday making FC Dallas pay for not closing him down in the first half. For the sixth time this year, Keane had scored a goal, and for the sixth time this year, LA avoided a loss.
On Sunday, that streak continue when, taking advantage of Sheanon Williams’ uncertainty, Keane scored in the 64th minute, running LA’s lead to 3-0. Nine minutes from full-time, after Donovan sparked an LA breakaway, Keane dished back to the league’s goal king for his second assist of the game, helped the Galaxy to a 4-1 win over visiting Philadelphia.
Over his week’s 180 minutes, Keane had 14 shots, putting five of them on target. He set up five other chances for teammates while contributing to four of his team’s six goals. Perhaps more importantly, his team went 2-0-0, with Keane again serving as the Galaxy’s driving force.
Where this another week, Koffie would have probably won this honor. And Donovan? It’s impossible to begrudge that choice. For us, though, Keane was the league’s best player over the last seven days; hence, our choice as Player of the Week.
| PST Award | MLS Award | |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Will Bruin, Houston Dynamo 2g, 1a vs. New England |
Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake 8 saves, PK save at LA |
| Week 2 | Víctor Bernárdez, San Jose Earthquakes 2g, 1a vs. Real Salt Lake |
Jermain Defoe, Toronto FC 2 goals at Seattle |
| Week 3 | Fabian Castillo, FC Dallas 1 goal vs. Chivas USA |
Bernardo Añor, Columbus 2 goals vs. Philadelphia |
| Week 4 | Álvaro Saborío, Real Salt Lake 2 goals vs. Toronto FC |
Graham Zusi, Sporting Kansas City 1 goal, 2 assists at Colorado |
| March Player of the Month | Michael Bradley, Toronto FC 3 games, 0 goals, 0 assists |
Mauro Díaz, FC Dallas 4 games, 2 goals, 0 assists |
| Week 5 | Diego Chara, Portland Timbers 2 goals vs. Seattle |
Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders 3 goals at Portland |
| Week 6 | Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders 2 goals at Dallas |
Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders 2 goals at Dallas |
| Week 7 | Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake 4 saves vs. Portland |
Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake 4 saves vs. Portland |
| Week 8 | Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls 4 goals vs. Houston, at Columbus |
Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls 4 goals vs. Houston, at Columbus |
| April Player of the Month | Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders 4 games, 7 goals, 2 assists |
Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders 4 games, 7 goals, 2 assists |
| Week 9 | Chad Marshall, Seattle Sounders 1 goal vs. Philadelphia |
João Plata, Real Salt Lake 2 goals at Chicago |
| Week 10 | Harry Shipp, Chicago Fire 3 goals, 1 assist vs. New York Red Bulls |
Harry Shipp, Chicago Fire 3 goals, 1 assist vs. New York Red Bulls |
| Week 11 | David Horst, Houston Dynamo 0 goals, 0 assists vs. LA Galaxy |
Federico Higuaín, Columbus Crew 2 goals at Portland Timbers |
| Week 12 | Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy 2 goals, 2 assists vs. FC Dallas, Philadelphia |
Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy 2 goals, 1 assist vs. Philadelphia |
