Our watertight back five didn’t concede a goal this
weekend, two even netted at the other end, and Robbie Earnshaw did what he does
best in a five minute cameo.
Here is our team of the week….
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| Deric back in the good books |
The Dynamo keeper has featured at both ends of our
three good, three bad this season but this is his first venture into the team
of the week.
He pulled off a stunning save to deny Marcelo
Sarvas, somehow turning the ball over the bar when the striker was six yards
out in another outstanding performance.
Right Back – Zach Loyd (FC Dallas)
Loyd and co were up against it when fellow defender Kellyn
Acosta was given his marching orders 20 minutes into the game against Seattle.
Although normally a centre back his display was so
good that we just had to get him in, as the visitors didn’t even manage to have a
shot on target.
Centre
Back – Michael Harrington (Colorado Rapids)
With his Rapids side setting up for a point and trying to hit Houston on the counter attack, there was
plenty of defending to be done.
But Harrington marshalled his defence and ensured
his side became the first team in MLS history to start a season with three
consecutive clean sheets.
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| Opara showed his ability at both ends |
Sporting upset the odds when they claimed their
first win of the season against unbeaten New York City with Opara’s goal enough
for all three points.
He struck after 13 minutes, heading home USA international
Matt Besler’s long throw with a thumping header that capped off an impressive 90 minutes.
Left Back – Adailton (Chicago Fire)
The Brazilian defender, who can boast Champions League experience with Rennes, was the difference at both ends of the field as Fire picked up their first win.
The 31-year-old glanced in fellow All Star Harry
Shipp’s free kick and that proved to be enough as Chicago held on to end a run
of three straight defeats.
Right
Midfield – Harry Shipp (Chicago Fire)
Along with his whipped free-kick that caught out
Philadelphia goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi for Adailton's goal, all of Fire’s attacks
went through Shipp.
His jinking run in the second half summed up his
performance, gliding between two Union players before fizzing a delightful ball
across the face of goal.
Centre
Midfield – Kaka (Orlando City SC)
The former Real Madrid man has made an instant
impact for the new franchise and again showed why he was at one time the world’s
most expensive footballer.
With his side two goals down, he inspired their
comeback by setting up Pedro Ribeiro for the first and when the two combined
again he curled in an exquisite equaliser.
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| Ribeiro even outshone Kaka |
Centre
Midfield – Pedro Ribeiro (Orlando City SC)
To outshine a Ballon d’Or winner you have to put in
quite a display and that is exactly what Ribeiro did, producing a man of the
match performance.
Like his Brazilian midfield partner he scored and
grabbed an assist but his threat was not limited there as he ran the show for
Orlando.
Left Midfield – Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution)
New England hadn’t scored
in their first three games but Rowe was a man possessed as he set-out on a one
man mission to resolve Revolution’s scoring problems.
Rowe grabbed New England’s first goal of the year with a deflected strike, and forced a diving save out of David Bingham before tapping in his second in the 35th minute – a brilliant midfield display.
Rowe grabbed New England’s first goal of the year with a deflected strike, and forced a diving save out of David Bingham before tapping in his second in the 35th minute – a brilliant midfield display.
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| Grella's goal was sublime |
Striker – Mike Grella (New York Red Bulls)
The former Leeds United striker came off the bench to win the game with first MLS goal, and what a goal it was.
The ball fell to Grella 25 yards out and his delicate chip swirved and drifted over the helpless Steve Clark in the Columbus goal.
The ball fell to Grella 25 yards out and his delicate chip swirved and drifted over the helpless Steve Clark in the Columbus goal.
Striker – Robbie Earnshaw (Vancouver Whitecaps)
He only signed for the
Whitecaps last Wednesday and he announced himself with an extra-time winner
that moved his new side within a point of FC Dallas a top the Western
Conference.
At 33, the Welsh striker is now at his 12th professional club, and should provide the perfect back up to Octavio Rivero who has three goals already this season.
At 33, the Welsh striker is now at his 12th professional club, and should provide the perfect back up to Octavio Rivero who has three goals already this season.
Images courtesy of Jamie Squire and Scott Halleran, with thanks.
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