MLS All-Stars: Week Eight

There were goals galore in MLS this weekend and our star-studded XI helped themselves to 12 as well as the odd assist here and there.

Here is our team of the week....

Goalkeeper – Joe Bendik (Toronto FC)

It was a hard-fought 90 minutes for the Toronto players as they maintained Orlando City’s winless run at the Citrus Bowl to four home games in their first season.

Jones was a threat going forward

Kaka and co had plenty of the ball and Bendik had to be alert to keep out Kevin Molino as well as veteran midfielder Eric Avila on two occasions to secure the points.

Right Back – Joevin Jones (Chicago Fire)

Although ordinarily a left back we had to get Jones in, his attacking threat from full back was a real plus for Fire going forward but he didn’t shirk his defensive duties either.

He marauded forward at every opportunity, especially when Chicago had the extra man, while ensuring that New York City were restricted to very little in front of goal.

Centre Back – Bobby Boswell (D.C. United)

D.C. United hadn’t scored at BC Place since 2011 and it was up to their captain to end that with his 9^th minute equaliser, heading home Michael Farfan’s cross.

With third choice goalkeeper Travis Worra coming on as a substitute and playing his first MLS match, Boswell organised his troops and ensured their debutant had little to do.

Left Back – Chris Tierney (New England Revolution)

The adventurous full back set the tone for his side’s 4-0 mauling of Real Salt Lake, netting the first goal with a curling right-footed shot into the top corner.

As well as beating two defenders to create space for his goal, he showed his defensive capabilities to help his side record their fourth clean sheet of the season.

Right Midfielder – Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo)

It wasn’t quite the perfect night for the former Derby County man as his loose back pass led to one of Sporting Kansas City’s goals but he was still a standout performer.

Barnes scored in either half, the first was a sliced half volley that left the goalkeeper no chance and his drive from the edge of the area into the bottom corner was even better.

Feilhaber equalised twice for Kansas

Centre Midfielder – Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City)

MLS’ leading provider turned goal scorer this week, firing in a 23-yard thunderbolt to rescue a point for his side in their topsy-turvy 4-4 draw against Houston Dynamo.

As well as snatching a point he had also levelled the match at 3-3 in the 80^th minute, coolly slotting home a penalty after Jermaine Taylor was punished for a hand ball.

Centre Midfielder – Scott Caldwell (New England Revolution)

The defensive midfielder turned in a superb display in the engine room, combining with Revolution’s potent attack as much as possible and keeping the pressure on.

He also set-up Charlie Davies with a perfect cross and capped his performance off with a goal of his own, blasting home his first in MLS from close range.

Left Midfielder – Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew)

The Crew winger finally showed the type of form MLS fans had come to expect after his 2014 campaign, scoring twice to open this season’s account and setting up another.

First he found striker Kei Kamara with a pinpoint cross, before redirecting the ball goal wards for his first and then calmly turning home Kamara’s cut back to finish off the rout.

Altidore bagged a brace

Right Forward – Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)

The USMNT striker ended his side’s run of four straight defeats with two clinical finishes that put Orlando City to the sword and showed Altidore at his best.

For the first he used his power to brush past Seb Hines and fire in off the post before bringing down Benoit Cheyrou’s long pass and forcing home. 

Centre Forward – Fabian Espindola (D.C. United)

Returning from a six-match suspension, the Argentine hit the ground running and drew the foul that saw Supporter Shield leaders Vancouver Whitecaps reduced to 10 men.

Despite not making a scoring return his all-round play lit up BC Place and he inspired his side to a win that has sent them top of the Eastern Conference – not a bad comeback.  

Left Forward – David Accam (Chicago Fire)

Chicago’s DP stole the show against a subpar NYCFC, netting his first for the franchise and drawing the foul that reduced the visitors to 10 men in a superb display of attacking prowess.

Accam scored the game’s only goal, stealing in to pinch the ball from on loan goalkeeper Ryan Meara and pass home, before being hauled down by Andrew Jacobson when clean through.

Images courtesy of Thearon W. Henderson, Brent Flanders and Bongarts, with thanks