June 4, 2001 SportsLine.com wire reports

Diego Serna(Allsport)

NEW YORK -- Diego Serna has received criticism from Miami Fusion coach Ray Hudson in the past, but the boss could not disapprove of the forward's performances this week.

Serna was named MLS player of the week for the period ending Sunday, June 3, after recording his fifth career hat trick and collecting two assists while helping his club post a pair of victories.

Serna, who received the honor for the fifth time in his career, had three goals and an assist Saturday as the Fusion matched their club records for most goals and largest margin of victory in a game with a 6-2 rout of the Dallas Burn.

"(Serna's been) criticized for allowing us to, in the past, play without him," Hudson said after Saturday's match. "But tonight he backed his team up. I'm not having it that he scored the goals and he's the hero, but what he was is a great team member."

The Colombian striker also helped set up Jim Rooney's game-winner with 18 minutes left in Wednesday's 2-1 home victory against Eastern Division rival D.C. United.

Serna moved into second place on the 2001 MLS scoring list, having tallied 17 points on six goals and five assists.

"I feel that I have been doing things well and this type of accomplishment is what one always hopes for playing in MLS," Serna said. "I also hope that this serves as some motivation to the whole team."

The Fusion, who own the league's best record (9-1-1), have won all six games this season in which Serna has collected a point.

Serna is the third member of the Fusion to collect the weekly award this season, following the lead of midfielder-forward Alex Pineda Chacon and goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

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