After a goal fest last weekend, Week Three was all about
defence as MLS sides shut up shop in their quest for points.
There were nine clean sheets in eight games as strikers struggled
to shrug off their markers.
Here is our team of the week...
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| Saunders has been outstanding this season |
The Rapids had 21 shots on goal but couldn’t find a way past
the New York keeper who kept his second clean sheet of the season.
Centre Back- Axel
Sjoberg (Colorado Rapids)
At the other end of the pitch rookie Axel Sjoberg was
outstanding as the Rapids maintained their unblemished defensive record.
David Villa didn’t get a sniff all game and the six foot seven
inch Swede was the main reason for that.
Centre Back- Kendall
Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Two straight clean sheets have helped Vancouver propel
themselves into third place in the Western Conference and Waston has been
central to it.
The Costa Rican international has made a huge impact since
arriving in October and was brilliant as the Whitecaps shutout Kaka’s Orlando.
Centre Back- Ty
Harden (San Jose Earthquakes)
Few would have expected Harden to be the star of San Jose’s
first home match at the Avaya Stadium but he was the difference in his 100th
MLS game.
His flick on set up rookie Faita Aleshe for the opener
before grabbing his first ever MLS goal to seal the Earthquakes win – not bad
for a defender!
Right Midfield- Lloyd
Sam (New York Red Bulls)
Former Charlton winger Sam was electric on Sunday night – he
scored the Red Bulls second and could have had another but for a sprawling Bill
Hamid.
DC’s defence couldn’t handle the pacy winger and his link up
play with Bradley Wright-Phillip’s will be crucial in the absence of Thierry
Henry.
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| Dax McCarty was dominant for New York |
Centre Midfield- Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls)
McCarty is the engine room of the
New York midfield and he was instrumental in attack and defence in their first
win of the season.
His raking pass handed Wright-Phillips his first of the
season before a heroic block from Perry Kitchen maintained his side’s 2-0 lead
late on.
Centre Midfield-
Nathan Sturgis (Houston Dynamo)
Sturgis’ first start of the season began in the worst way
possible as Robbie Keane nutmegged him before slotting home.
However he showed great character and was in the right place
at the right time to equalise on 11 minutes – he was a key part of Houston’s
improved performance.
Left Midfield- Fabian
Castillo (FC Dallas)
With one goal and two assists already this season, Castillo
is quickly becoming the lynchpin in Dallas’ flying start to the season.
He was a thorn in Philadelphia Union’s side from start to
finish on Saturday – his pass set up Hollingshead for Dallas’ second and only
the bar denied him adding to Dallas’ tally.
Striker- Bradley
Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)
Last season’s golden boot winner opened this year’s account
at the third attempt as the Red Bulls cantered to a 2-0 home win over DC
United.
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| Keane's side have taken five points from nine so far |
Striker- Robbie Keane
(LA Galaxy)
Last season’s MVP showed why he is still the best MLS has to
offer – he picked up the ball on half way, ran 50 yards before embarrassing Sturgis
and slotting home.
LA Galaxy continued their stuttering start to the season but
their captain has hit the ground running with two goals in his first three
outings.
Striker- Octavio
Rivero (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Rivero is quickly establishing himself as the best signing
of the season – the Uruguayan forward struck deep into stoppage time to earn
Vancouver’s second straight win.
He has three in three games and could have had another this
weekend, but his flashing volley came back out off the bar.
Images courtesy of Elsa, Jamie Squire and Bay Area Bias, with thanks.
Images courtesy of Elsa, Jamie Squire and Bay Area Bias, with thanks.
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