Major League Soccer

MLS Playoffs: Goal.com's Round 2 POW: Cuauhtemoc Blanco

He's an entertainer at the very least. Cuauhtemoc Blanco nabbed Goal.com's player of the week honors for the MLS playoff conference semifinal second leg round.

Nov 9, 2009 4:37:38 AM

MLS: Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire, June 2008 (ISI)

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MLS: Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire, June 2008 (ISI)

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Cuauhtémoc Blanco

"Cuauhtemoc Blanco. Period. End of story."

That's how Goal.com Magazine chief editor Greg Lalas voted for the Major League Soccer player of the week.

It's difficult to argue with him.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco helped set up Chicago's first goal against the New England Revolution which tied the series and then slotted home the winner to put Chicago into the Eastern Conference final.

"In the 83rd minute, with the teams tied 1-1 in aggregate, the Mexican international received a pass from Patrick Nyarko in the box," said Seattle correspondent John Zielonka. "Blanco kept his cool, picked his spot with two defenders in front of him, and placed it perfectly in the upper right corner of the net to score the go-ahead goal."

Besides helping out in both goals, the 36-year-old ran the show. He tormented Jay Heaps down the Revolution left flank, combining with Marco Pappa to dominate possession and proceedings. New England couldn't get a moment of reprieve on the ball.

With announcements before the game that Blanco will join Veracruz in the Mexican second division, whenever the Fire crash out could be Blanco's last match in MLS.

"He may look like an Aztec mummy, but boy does he still ooze class," Toronto correspondent Talha Zaheer said. "In his final season at Chicago Fire, who would begrudge him if he ended his MLS career by lifting the MLS Cup?"

One guy who might begrudge him is Real Salt Lake's Javier Morales. The Argentine playmaker gave a rather thorough performance himself, helping the Lakers overcome vastly favored Columbus Crew in Ohio. Down two goals early to countryman Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Morales hit back within two minutes, collecting a pass from Kyle Beckerman and toe poking it quickly into the net. Morales also sent in the ball when Fabian Espindola won a penalty and assisted on Andy Williams' winner.

"Who knew that Real Salt Lake could win away from home?" asked D.C. correspondent Steven Streff. "Or that Morales still knows how to ball?"

The pool is narrowing, with four further teams eliminated in this matchday. Next week's conference finals will provide the last Goal.com MLS player of the week for the season. Tune in then.

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For more on the Major League Soccer playoffs, visit Goal.com's MLS page