Lenhart wins MLS Player of the Week

Steven Lenhart was named MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters on Monday after scoring a hat trick and notching an assist in San Jose's 4-2 win at D.C. United over the weekend.

San Jose's striker picked up 17 of 23 first-place votes and was the second choice on four more ballots. He is the first Earthquakes player to win the award in 2011.

Lenhart beat United goalkeeper Bill Hamid on a 1v1 in the 15th minute for his first goal, pounced on a loose ball inside the area on his second in the 22nd minute and capped the night off with a header near the edge of the box in the 60th minute. He also slid a pass to Simon Dawkins for the game winner in the 49th minute for his second assist of the year. The goals were Nos. 2,3 and 4 with the Quakes.

San Jose has been on a tear of late, unbeaten in their last six with 13 goals scored during the stretch. The most recent win moved the Earthquakes up to No. 6 in the Western Conference with 19 points in 13 games on a 5-4-4 clip. Since Lenhart's return to the starting XI from arthroscopic knee surgery on April 30, the Quakes are 4-1-2.

WHAT THE VOTERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT LENHART:

BRIAN BALBOA (Goal.com): A hat trick will do it for you. Had to give it to Lenhart. He definitly showed San Jose can handle things while Wondo is away.

DAN GIRARD (Toronto Star): A dominating performance.

STEVEN SANDOR (THE 11): Hassli's goal out him above and beyond the other two-goal performers (and, on the road, right after Seattle had scored twice). But Lenhart owned D.C.

SHAUN SCHAFER (Colorado Soccer Now): Some weeks, it’s tough to pick a player of the week from a mediocre crop. This week, there are too many deserving players. Eric Hassli delivered the presumptive goal of the year in his brace for Vancouver. Alan Gordon got a pair in a 2-2 draw with LA that allowed Toronto to steal a point. Drew Moor ripped a dagger into Portland after playing a great game in defense. Most would be the winners in other weeks. None are in my top two.

Lenhart gets the nod for earning a hat trick and throwing in an assist in San Jose’s 4-2 victory over D.C. United.  Zusi, who came tantalyzingly close to scoring the first goal at the new Livestrong Park, gets the second for his performance in the home opener tie and his two goals and an assist as KC went on the road and dismantled Dallas.

HOW THEY VOTED: