Monday, 16 March 2015

MLS All-Stars: Week Two

There were some great performances in the MLS during week two; Bobby Shuttleworth was outstanding in goal for New England Revolution and Fenando Adi scored twice against MLS Cup holders LA Galaxy but they just miss out on our team of the week...

Goalkeeper – Chris Seitz (FC Dallas)
FC Dallas cruised to a second straight MLS win but it could have ended differently if Dom Dwyer had scored a 79th minute penalty.
Dwyer scored 22 times last season but Seitz read him perfectly, diving to his right and maintain his sides two goal cushion going into the final 10 minutes.

Right-Back – Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Beitashour is now in his second season at Vancouver, and the Iranian international was a rock as the Whitecaps earned victory at Chicago Fire.
Not only was he key in their first clean sheet of the season, he also showed great composure when assisting Octavio Rivero’s late winner.

Centre Defence – Sean St. Ledger (Orlando City SC) 
St. Ledger sets up a happy St. Paddy's Day
Republic of Ireland international St Ledger helped Orlando keep their first MLS clean sheet and victory against Houston Dynamo on his full debut after a successful trial.
On the basis of Sunday’s dominant performance Aurelien Collin could be waiting some time to return to the starting XI ahead of St Ledger.

Centre Defence – Jeb Brovsky (New York City FC)
He’s got a great moustache, he kept out MLS Cup runners-up New England Revolution and he almost scored with a beauty of a volley – a shoe in.
If he continues to show the same authority as he did against the Revolution, New York City should be play-off contenders.

Left-Back – Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew)
Playing outside Emmanuel Pogatetz, Francis outshone his more illustrious teammate as Columbus recorded their first victory of the season.
Solid in defence, and a constant threat in attack, the 24-year-old grabbed an assist and is a must for your MLS fantasy team.
Centre Midfield – Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake)
Morales was on the ball versus Union
The Argentine midfielder opened the scoring for his side in a match where their fluency in attack and impressive fire-power papered over their many defensive cracks.
The 35-year-old gave Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Rais Mbohli no chance, bending his free-kick into the top corner – with the help of a deflection, but still!

Centre Midfield – Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers)
Nagbe was involved in almost everything good the home side did on Sunday and his link-up play with Fanendo Adi helped snatch a last-gasp point.
His inventive flick set Timbers away on a first-half counter attack eventually converted by Adi and he turned provider with an assist in the dying seconds.

Centre Midfield – Fabian Castillo (FC Dallas)
Although Blas Perez stole the headlines with his brace (and probably should have had a hat-trick), the 22-year-old added his side’s third in an all-round performance.
The Colombian winger was involved in the move that led to Perez’s first before bursting onto Ryan Hollingshead’s pass to coolly round the keeper and slide home.

Striker – Blaz Perez (FC Dallas)
Like a fine wine, Perez is only getting better with age.
He may be 34 but he has been Dallas’ top scorer three seasons running and has already bagged three from the opening two games this time round.

Villa looked fierce on his home debut
Striker- David Villa (New York City FC)
The World Cup winner made history scoring New York City’s first goal at the Yankee Stadium before setting up Patrick Mullins for the second.
Villa will be key for New York, he could have scored six against the Revolution and his partnership with Adam Nemec already looks frightening.

Striker – Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
San Jose only seem to beat Seattle and this time they have captain and US international Wondolowski to thank for ending their 16-match winless run.
He turned the game on its head with two great volleyed goals and caused havoc in the Sounders defence from start to finish.

Images courtesy of COYBIG, akaadum and adifansnet, with thanks.

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