SANTA CLARA, California (CMC):

Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts had a superb United States Major League Soccer (MLS) debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday and has copped the Player of the Week award.

The MLS announced on Monday that Ricketts was voted Player of the Week for Week 4 after an outstanding display in LA Galaxy's 0-0 draw with Chivas USA at The Home Depot Centre. The 31-year-old Ricketts, recruited late last year by LA coach Bruce Arena, had five saves and withstood 12 shots from Chivas USA.

Vital saves

"Bruce put a lot of faith in me, so each game I try to repay him. That's all I do. I just go and play from the heart," Ricketts said of the game.

In the 17th minute, Ricketts blocked Eduardo Lillingston's shot after he broke past the Galaxy back line and into a one-on-one position with the Galaxy keeper. Ricketts also produced two vital saves in stoppage time, including a low, hard drive from Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan.

Chivas USA had Ricketts' international teammate, Shavar Thomas, and another Caribbean player, Atiba Harris, of St Kitts and Nevis, in their line-up.

Ricketts, who hails from Montego Bay, signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy in December, but missed the first two games of the season. He began his professional career with Jamaican side Village United, before moving to English club Bradford City where he made 104 appearances from 2005-08.

Ricketts has also played a significant role in Jamaica's FIFA World Cup qualifying efforts in 2002, 2006 and 2010, notching 72 career appearances for the Jamaica national team.

Also this past weekend, Jamaican Ryan Johnson scored his second goal of the season and helped San Jose Earthquakes to a 3-3 draw with Chicago Fire. Johnson scored in the 17th minute, converting a Darren Huckerby cross from close range that gave San Jose a 1-0 lead.