New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul was named MLS Player of the Week for Week 27 of the Major League Soccer season. Coundoul made a career-high 12 saves in the Red Bulls’ 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday, Oct. 2 – a result that clinched a playoff berth for New York and propelled it to first place in the Eastern Conference. The shutout was Coundoul’s 10th of the season, setting a new franchise season record.
Throughout the match, Coundoul controlled his penalty area and make several key saves to keep Kansas City off the score sheet. In the 56th minute, a defensive miscue by New York led Teal Bunbury in alone on net, but Coundoul went to ground to stop the rookie’s attempt. His biggest save came 15 minutes from full time, when Jack Jewsbury unleashed a shot from 25 yards out that looked destined for the top corner. Coundoul leapt and used his outstretched arm to push the ball over the net.
This season, Coundoul has registered a record of 13-7-5 and a goals against average of 1.04 in 25 games played. He ranks second in MLS in saves with 100, and his 10 shutouts is good for fourth in the league. The 28-year-old Senegalese International was signed by New York on June 29, 2009.
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/.
The Red Bulls are next in action when they host Real Salt Lake at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, October 9 at 4:00 PM ET (TV: MSG/Telefutura; Radio: WADO 1280 AM). Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or by CLICKING HERE.
