HARRISON, NJ (Oct. 29, 2012) - New York Red Bulls forward and leading scorer Kenny Cooper was named the MLS Player of the Week for Week 34 of the 2012 MLS season. Cooper earned the honor for the first time this year after scoring two goals in a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park Saturday afternoon – a result that sealed third place in the Eastern Conference for the Red Bulls. The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).
Competing in their third-straight MLS Cup Playoffs and ninth in the past 10 seasons, the Red Bulls will take on long-time rival D.C. United starting Saturday, Nov. 3 at 8:00 PM at Red Bull Arena in the first of two legs in a home-and-home, aggregate goals Eastern Conference Semifinals Series (TV: NBC Sports Network; Radio: 93.1 FM). Tickets are on sale now by logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
In his first season with New York, Cooper has been a stellar addition to the club and notched his 17th and 18th goals of the season against the Union. Cooper put New York up for good with a penalty kick conversion in the 13th minute after teammate Tim Cahill was fouled by Carlos Valdes in the box. The Dallas, Texas native then sealed the result for the visitors in the 66th minute, latching onto a Dax McCarty through ball and putting it past goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
Cooper finished the regular season second in the MLS Golden Boot race and added three assists in 33 games played. His 18 goals equaled a personal MLS career high when he scored the same amount in 2008 with FC Dallas. Cooper also moved into second place in club history for goals scored in a season, just one shy of leader Juan Pablo Angel. The 6-3 forward was acquired by New York from the Portland Timbers on Jan. 12, 2012 in exchange for a 2013 MLS SuperDraft first round selection and allocation money. Cooper also finished 2012 second in MLS in multi-goal games (5) and game-winning goals (7).
