Sometimes a team simply has to lean on its defenders to save the day.
New York Red Bulls star Tim Ream did just that against the LA Galaxy last Saturday night, narrowly sweeping a Landon Donovan shot off the goal line and earning the Save of the Week for Week 8 in the process.
Ream’s dramatic 43rd-minute clearance was the runaway winner in the voting this week, earning roughly 58 percent of the vote. It also kept the Galaxy safely at the doorstep when the hosts seemed to be banging down the door at The Home Depot Center, and helped New York hang on for a crucial 1-1 draw on the road.
D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid’s save on a header from Seattle’s Álvaro Fernández in the 73rd minute of DC’s 2-1 win over Seattle last Wednesday earned 16.6 percent of the vote to finish second.
WATCH: Ream saves the day on the goal line
Final Voting Results
1. Tim Ream, New York 58%
2. Bill Hamid, D.C. United 16.6%
3. Kevin Hartman, FC Dallas 11%
4. Kasey Keller, Seattle 9.5%
5. Bouna Coundoul, New York 4.9%
MLS Save of the Week winners
Week 1: Nick Rimando, RSL (watch here)
Week 2: Jake Gleeson, POR (watch here)
Week 3: Kasey Keller, SEA (watch here)
Week 4: Kasey Keller, SEA (watch here)
Week 5: Jake Gleeson, POR (watch here)
Week 6: Donovan Ricketts, LA (watch here)
Week 7: Bobby Shuttleworth, NE (watch here)