Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 4 of the 2009 season. Ricketts had five saves and withstood 12 shots as the Los Angeles Galaxy played to a 0-0 draw with Chivas USA in this season's first installment of the SuperClásico.
This is Ricketts' first Player of the Week award, and this marks the first time since 2006 that two goalkeepers (Kasey Keller in Week 2) have been named Player of the Week in the same season. Troy Perkins and Joe Cannon took home the award in Weeks 13 and 27 of the 2006 season.
Ricketts was poised in goal for the Galaxy, starting in his first MLS game and weathering three early opportunities from Chivas USA to keep the Galaxy level. In the 17th minute Chivas USA forward Eduardo Lillingston broke past the Galaxy back line and into a one-on-one position with the Galaxy keeper. Ricketts blocked Lillingston's shot and Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez cleared the ball out of play.
Ricketts was tested again in the waning moments of the second half. After Greg Berhalter was sent off in the 79th minute for denying a goal scoring opportunity, the Galaxy were forced to play a man down for the final 11 minutes of the game. The 31-year-old MLS newcomer denied both Chivas scoring opportunities in stoppage time, including a low hard drive from Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan.
Ricketts, from Montego Bay, Jamaica, signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Dec. 23, 2008. He began his professional career with Jamaican side Village United before moving to English club Bradford City where he made 104 appearances from 2005-2008. Ricketts has played a significant role in Jamaica's FIFA World Cup qualifying efforts in 2002, 2006, and 2010, notching 72 career appearances for the Jamaican national team.
The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
2009 MLS Player of the Week Winners
WEEK 1:
Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders FC)
WEEK 2:
Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC)
WEEK 3:
Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids)
WEEK 4:
Donovan Ricketts (Los Angeles Galaxy)
