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RSL attacker nets honors
Pressed into duty as a forward, Real Salt Lake’s Jean Alexandre delivered a goal and an assist in his team’s 2-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
On Monday, Alexandre was voted MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters. The goal was the first in the Haitian international’s MLS career.
With RSL’s forward corps depleted by injury and Gold Cup call-ups, Alexandre moved from his usual midfield role to forward and justified the coach’s decision. In the 32nd minute, Kyle Beckerman sent a pass through the Vancouver defense to Alexandre at the top of the box. As he received the ball, Alexandre held off one defender, then used a nifty step-over to brush by a second defender before slipping the ball past the charging goalkeeper for his first MLS goal in 26 career appearances.
Late in the second half, Alexandre’s quick feet helped set up the insurance goal. After a giveaway by Vancouver in the midfield, Alexandre evaded a sliding challenge and poked a through pass to Fabian Espindola. In alone against goalkeeper Joe Cannon, Espindola coolly finished to the far post.
Alexandre is the second player from RSL to win Player of the Week in 2011 (Javier Morales won in week 2) and it marks the first time this season that a team has had a second player receive the honor.
CSN Vote: Alexandre was our pick. He stepped into an unfamiliar role and delivered an excellent performance. He provided a spark for a Salt Lake team that has been drifting since the CONCACAF champions finale failure.
‘Keeper Kasey Keller was our second choice for keeping a clean sheet for Seattle on the road in Chicago.
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