NEW YORK—Columbus Crew left back Gino Padula became the first field player to win the NAPA Save of the Week award in 2010 after beating out four other goalkeepers who save goals for a living.
Padula made two goal line clearances in a span of 24 seconds in the second half of the Crew’s 1-0 victory over Chivas USA. The sequence started in the 58th minute when he kicked away a shot on goal by Chivas USA and U.S. World Cup hopeful Jonathan Bornstein.
Watch: Padula saves off the line
Chivas USA recovered possession and again penetrated into the box with the Goats’ Blair Gavin having the next attempt on goal. Padula once again was in position to head the ball off the line.
Padula captured 36 percent of the vote to win the Week 8 honors. D.C. United rookie netminder Bill Hamid led the pack of goalkeepers with 33 percent followed by Jimmy Nielsen (KC), Stefan Frei (TFC) and Kevin Hartman (FCD).
Recent Save of the Week winners:
Week 8: Gino Padula, Columbus Crew
Week 7: Kevin Hartman, FC Dallas
Week 6: Joe Cannon, San Jose Earthquakes
Week 5: Andrew Dykstra, Chicago Fire
