Monday, 20 April 2015

MLS All-Stars: Week Seven

Vancouver Whitecaps returned to winning ways, New York Red Bulls moved top of the Eastern Conference and there was another stoppage time winner, but who makes our MLS All-Stars?

Kwarasey played for Ghana in Brazil
Goalkeeper – Adam Kwarasey (Portland Timbers)
Dairon Asprilla may have scored the winner at the Yankee Stadium but the Timbers have Kwarasey to thank for their second win of the season.
The Ghanaian made five saves including a splendid stop to deny New York City rookie Khiry Shelton from equalising in the 88th minute.

Right Centre Back – Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Kendall Waston was at the heart of a Whitecaps’ defence that kept its fourth cleansheet of the season at previously unbeaten Real Salt Lake.
Waston has been an every present this year for Vancouver, whose brilliant start to the season has been built upon their rock solid defence – this was their third 1-0 away win.
Gonzalez scored the stoppage-time winner


 Centre Back – Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
It has been a good week for Gonzalez – he made his return for Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA team in the ‘dos a cero’ victory over Mexico and bagged the winner for Galaxy.
It might not be his main role, but Gonzalez’ stoppage-time goal was crucial for LA as they battled to a second straight victory despite failing to hit their best form so far this year.

Left Centre Back – Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls)
The Red Bulls midfield tend to take the plaudits when the side play well but the young Jamaican was outstanding in only his second appearance for the club.
Lawrence was excellent in defence, provided a constant threat down the left wing and almost added to the scoreline with a sensational long-range volley, which David Bingham had to tip over.


 Right Midfield – Teal Bunbury (New England Revolution)
Teal Bunbury announced himself in 2015 as he came off the bench to turn their match against Philadelpia Union on its head in  a performance that will frighten left backs throughout MLS.
First he found Charlie Davies with a devilish cross that eliminated the Union defence before sliding home the winner with 15 minutes remaining – super sub doesn’t do his performance justice.

Centre Midfield – Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls)
McCarty doesn’t score many but he doesn’t need to when he can control football matches in the manner he did against San Jose Earthquakes on Friday night.
The Red Bulls captain found his forwards in space time and time again, and was the focal point for his side’s best performance of the season.

Kljestan in Champions League action v Arsenal in November
Centre Midfield – Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls)
Kljestan was every bit as good in attacking midfield as McCarty was holding – he only got one goal but could easily have scored four.
The US international, back in MLS after five seasons with Belgian side Anderlecht, terrorised the Earthquakes defence from start to finish as he roamed between their midfield and defensive lines.

Left Midfield – Chris Rolfe (DC United)
The veteran left-winger may be getting on in years but he certainly hasn’t forgotten how to strike a football.
DC United could only draw with Houston Dynamo but Rolfe’s thunderous free kick left Tyler Deric with no chance as it flew into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Right forward – Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)
Toronto are struggling but their Designated Player is dazzling and almost earned a miraculous point for his side against FC Dallas.
Giovinco embarked on a one-man crusade in the final ten minutes. He opened his account with a delicate chip, and bent an effort agonisingly wide before stroking a free kick past Chris Seitz.

Castillo scored twice
Left forward – Fabian Castillo (FC Dallas)
When Castillo plays well, Dallas tend to win, and he was at his sparkling best against Toronto as he scored Dallas’s fastest MLS goal after 29 seconds.
His second goal was even better as he cut inside his man before curling into the far corner with his right; an early contender for MVP?

Striker – Lamar Neagle (Seattle Sounders)
After being frustrated by Jaime ‘Brick Wall’ Penedo against the Galaxy, Neagle produced his best to beat Colorado Rapids’ Clint Irwin with a dazzling opener.
Neagle picked up the ball 20 yards out and bent an unstoppable effort into the top corner. Did we mention he also tapped in the winner?


 Substitute – Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders)
We have never had a substitute before, but Martins first touch was so good it was impossible not to mention.
Neagle rightly gets the plaudits for the game winning goal, but could he do this...


Images courtesy of Jamie McDonald, Victor Decolongon, Michael Regan and Rick Yeatts, with thanks.
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