Seattle Sounders FC Forward Steve Zakuani named MLS Player of the Week

Zakuani scores both goals in 2-1 win over Colorado Rapids

NEW YORK (Monday, July 26, 2010) - Seattle Sounders FC forward Steve Zakuani was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 17 of the 2010 MLS season. Zakuani notched both goals in Seattle's 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, July 25 at Qwest Field.

Zakuani opened scoring for Sounders FC in the eighth minute. Fredy Montero was stripped of the ball inside the penalty area and the loose ball popped to Zakuani, who then cut inside and slammed his right-footed shot off the post. The ball hit the back of an outstretched Matt Pickens and into the net for the first goal of the game.

With the game tied 1-1, Zakuani scored the eventual game-winner in the 17th minute. Montero played a ball over the top of Colorado's backline to Sanna Nyassi. Nyassi crossed the ball in front of the Rapids goal where Zakuani tapped it in for his second goal of the night.

Zakuani's brace helped Seattle record its first victory over a Western Conference opponent. It was also the first multi-goal game for a Sounders FC player this season.

This is Zakuani's first Player of the Week award.

The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from 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/.

2010 MLS Player of the Week Winners

Week 1: Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake)
Week 2: Kenny Mansally (New England Revolution)
Week 3: Sebastien Le Toux (Philadelphia Union)
Week 4: Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy)
Week 5: Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC)
Week 6: Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy)
Week 7: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
Week 8: Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake)
Week 9: Emilio Renteria (Columbus Crew)
Week 10: Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC)
Week 11: Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
Week 12: Chris Pontius (D.C. United)
Week 13: Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls)
Week 14: Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake)
Week 15: Justin Braun (Chivas USA)
Week 16: Sebastien Le Toux (Philadelphia Union)
Week 17: Steve Zakuani (Seattle Sounders)