New England Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston was voted Major League Soccer’s Player of the Week following his one-goal, two-assist performance in the Revolution’s 4-0 victory over Chivas USA at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 11. The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Ralston’s two-assist effort Thursday was the 20th of his career and his first of the 2008 season. A 13-year MLS veteran, Ralston currently leads the Revolution in both goals (7) and assists (7), and is one of only three MLS players to rank in the league’s top 10 in both categories.

Ralston’s first assist came on Taylor Twellman’s game-winning goal in the 53rd minute, and his second on Jeff Larentowicz’s goal in the 83rd. Ralston also rounded out the scoring in the four-goal victory, notching his seventh goal of the year in the third minute of stoppage time. That goal is also one of five nominees for MLS Sierra Mist Goal of the Week.

A six-time MLS All-Star, this is Ralston’s third career MLS Player of the Week award and second of the season. He was also named player of the week on June 30 for his two-goal effort in the Revs’ 2-1 victory over Toronto FC in Week 14. Eleven years ago, in Week 8 of the 1997 season, Ralston won his only other player of the week award after a two-goal effort –including the game-winner with four seconds left - in a 2-1 victory over Colorado on May 10.

Ralston and the Revolution travel to face the Colorado Rapids in their next match, on Saturday, Sept. 20. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., with TV38 televising the game and the WEEI Radio Network carrying the game, both live.