Donovan is the first domestic Player of the Week winner in 2011 By Charles Posted on April 25, 2011 Comments Off on Donovan is the first domestic Player of the Week winner in 2011 0 664 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Landon DonovanIt’s taken until week six of the season. But, finally, there is a domestic Player of the Week in MLS. Landon Donovan was named the winner of the weekly honour after the votes from the North American Soccer Reporters were counted. He was in on all three goals as the Galaxy thrashed Portland 3-0 on Saturday. Donovan sent a pass to Chad Barrett that the former Toronto FC striker absolutely walloped into the goal from outside the penalty area. He also scored on a penalty kick and headed home a cross from Juan Pablo Angel to complete the rout of the Timbers. Americans and Canadians had been shut out of the Player of the Week winner’s circle until this week. How The 11 voted: Donovan had an impressive outing, but the vote went to New York’s Designated Player, Thierry Henry. He also scored twice one on the head and another with his feet, in a 4-0 win over D.C. United. Henry got his goals on the road, Donovan at home. One of Donovan’s goals came on a penalty, albeit one that he earned. And, while Donovan got the assist on the first goal, it was a super strike from Barrett. It wasn’t as if Barrett had nothing to do but steer the ball into an open goal. For Henry, the win in the U.S. capital marked the second straight game he has excelled. He is starting to show the form we expected when he arrived in MLS from Barcelona last season. And, just as he did with Arsenal, Henry is not only scoring, but is creating plenty of space for his teammates to exploit.