Kansas City Wizards goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen has picked up his fifth NAPA Save of the Week award, this time for a stop on the Galaxy’s Chris Birchall that was deemed by voters as the best save of Matchday 21.
Nielsen’s save helped preserve the Wizards’ 2-0 upset over the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, and earned the Danish netminder his first Save of the Week honor since Week 16. He has won more Save of the Week awards that any other goalkeeper in the league this season.
Nielsen earned roughly 53 percent of the vote, more than enough to top runner-up and three-time SOTW winner Sean Johnson of the Chicago Fire (37.5 percent). Johnson turned away a free kick from Fredy Montero during the Sounders’ 2-1 win over Chicago at Qwest Field.
Toronto’s Stefan Frei, FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd and Houston’s Pat Onstad rounded out the field.
1. Jimmy Nielsen, 53.32%
2. Sean Johnson, 37.52 %
3. Stefan Frei, 3.99%
4. Zach Loyd, 3.6%
5. Pat Onstad, 1.57%
NAPA Save of the Week Winners
Week 21: Jimmy Nielsen, Kansas City Wizards
Week 20: Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake
Week 19: Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire
Week 18: Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire
Week 17: Kasey Keller, Seattle Sounders FC
Week 16: Jimmy Nielsen, Kansas City Wizards
Week 15: Stefan Frei, Toronto FC
Week 14: Jimmy Nielsen, Kansas City Wizards
Week 13: Jimmy Nielsen, Kansas City Wizards
Week 12: Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake
Week 11: Chris Seitz, Philadelphia Union
Week 10: Donovan Ricketts, LA Galaxy
Week 9: Jimmy Nielsen, Kansas City Wizards
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
