D.C. United forward Jaime Moreno was selected as the Honda MLS Player of the Week by the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA) for the week ending Aug. 15 (Week 20). Moreno earns his second Player of the Week honor in 2004 (Week 1) and fourth in his career, contributing to three goals in two games as United gained four valuable standings points on the week.
Moreno kicked off the week helping United to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, August 11. With D.C. United having a 2-0 lead, Moreno demonstrated slick dribbling skills to beat two Colorado defenders on a play that led to an own goal by Colorado which sealed United's victory.
On Saturday night, the nine-year veteran continued his inspiring revival with a two-goal performance in his team's 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution. Moreno scored his first of the game within seconds after New England had taken a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute. A Dema Kovalenko's cross was kicked from the goal mouth by Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis and the ball bounced around the box before falling to Moreno at the six-yard box. The Bolivian feinted and cut around a defender before slotting home from close range.
"It would have felt great if we would have won," Moreno said afterward. "I'm very disappointed for the result. Goals are very important for a forward, so it's O.K., but it would have been great if we could have won."
D.C. gained the momentary lead in the 56th minute with more elegant play from Moreno. Kovalenko placed a beautiful through ball to spring Moreno, who dribbled into the box and cut around the sprawling Matt Reis, then patiently waited for the onrushing Steve Ralston to slide past before finishing into an empty net for his 6th goal of the year.
Moreno was selected ahead of Landon Donovan of the San Jose Earthquakes for this week's 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).
2004 PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNER
Week 1: Jaime Moreno (D.C. United)
Week 2: Pat Onstad (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 3: Fabian Taylor (MetroStars)
Week 4: Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 5: Henry Ring (Chicago Fire)
Week 6: Jovan Kirovski (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 7: Pat Onstad (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 8: Alejandro Moreno (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 9: Jovan Kirovski (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 10: Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
Week 11: Jeff Cunningham (Columbus Crew)
Week 12: Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United)
Week 13: Amado Guevara (MetroStars)
Week 14: Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards)
Week 15: Jeff Cassar (Dallas Burn)
Week 16: Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 17: Brad Davis (Dallas Burn)
Week 18: Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew)
Week 19: Brian Mullan (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 20: Jaime Moreno (D.C. United)
