MLS
Cunningham's Two Late Goals Earn MLS Honors
By Russell Shiring
May 15, 2006
Jeff Cunningham led Salt Lake to its first ever road win.
Jeff Cunningham registered two goals in a 20 minute span after coming on as a late substitute in Real Salt Lake's 3-0 win over Los Angeles.
The road win was Real's first in franchise history and Cunningham's effort earned him MLS Player of the Week honors for week seven.
Cunningham came on as a second half substitute in the 69th minute. He scored only three minutes later when Carey Talley's cross eluded Kevin Hartman and left Cunningham with an empty net.
In the 87th minute, Cunningham took a long pass from Jason Kreis. dribbled around Hartman, and shot the ball into the open net.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak and an 18-game winless streak.
"I told these guys before the game, that I would pick them all over again," said Real coach John Ellinger. "I think they are all great soccer players and I told them to just go out, relax, enjoy it and play. I think we play better when we are relaxed and we proved that tonight."
2006 Player of the Week Winners
Week 1: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo)
Week 2: Jaime Moreno (D.C. United)
Week 3: Cornell Glen (L.A. Galaxy)
Week 4: Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United)
Week 5: Landon Donovan (L.A. Galaxy)
Week 6: Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo)
Week 7: Jeff Cunningham (Real Salt Lake)