All-Stars: MLS Week 12

With reflection on the Premier League’s standout players already in full flow, see who makes our MLS team of the week this time around.

Goalkeeper – Clint Irwin (Colorado Rapids)

Colorado picked up their first home win of the season against Vancouver Whitecaps and Irwin was instrumental in that, continually keeping the visitors at bay.

He was involved in a bizarre incident with Kianz Froese, who was booked for diving, and produced a string of saves to keep a clean sheet.  

Farrell was superb as Revolution went down to nine men

Right Back – Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution)

Down to nine men for the last 30 minutes, the Revolution defence stood strong to grind out a result in their Eastern Conference clash with D.C. United.

Farrell was central to that with his heroic display and denied DC a shot on target until the 80^th minute, though that did result in their equaliser. 

Centre Back – Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake)

The colossal Salt Lake defender has been a recurring inclusion in our teams of the week, such has been his consistency during the first third of the season.

It was the same again this week, he controlled his back four against New York City and looked composed in everything he did – even grabbing an assist.

Centre Back – Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)

Besler and his fellow defenders put in a determined display to stop Clint Dempsey breaking the MLS record for goal involvement in consecutive matches.

Seattle Sounders have a habit of scoring late winners this season but Besler made sure concentration remained high and Sporting recorded a clean sheet.

Left Back – Fabio Alves (Philadelphia Union)

Union pulled off a shock result against New York Red Bulls and Alves was integral at both ends of the fields in a superb display.

Maidana starred for Union

Not only did he held keep the Red Bulls attacking players at bay with some brilliant defending, he also set-up C.J. Sapong with an inch perfect cross.

Right Midfield – Cristian Maidana (Philadelphia Union)

With Alves providing the attacking threat down one wing, it was Maidana who offered the width on the right flank and also turned in a rounded performance.

Maidana created the first goal, when Vincent Nogueira back heeled his goal bound effort into the net, and the winger balanced it well with his defensive duties.

Centre Midfield – Lucas Pittinari (Colorado Rapids)

The Rapids new signing picked up his first goal in MLS to seal his side’s win and the defensive midfielder almost doubled his tally in the same game.

He met Gabriel Torres ingenious flick to score the goal’s only game and was close to adding another on 70 minutes but his header whistled over the bar.

Left Midfield – Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact)

Impact seem to have found their feet in MLS and Piatti has been a big part of that, again proving invaluable in their win against FC Dallas.

The Argentine scored his second goal of the season from the spot to open the scoring before playing a one-two to assist Jack McInerney’s curling effort.  

Striker – Kei Kamara (Columbus Crew)

The league’s joint-highest scorer ahead of the weekend is now out on his own, recording his third brace of the season to make it nine goals in 11 matches.

He opened the scoring early on, finishing off a good team move from close range before heading home from Kevan George’s centre in an impressive display.

Keane's return has an immediate impact on LA Galaxy

Striker – Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)

After missing the last seven weeks through injury, the 2014 MVP made a brilliant comeback as ignited a Galaxy attack that had look devoid of ideas.

He helped LA end their five-match winless run too, crossing for Alan Gordon to head home a 93rd-minute winner and seal all three points against Houston Dynamo. 

Striker –Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)

Giovinco ran the show as Toronto picked up their first home win of the season, grabbing the winner with a sumptuous effort with the outside of his boot.

It wasn’t just the goal, his link-up play with former Swansea City striker Luke Moore tore Portland Timbers apart and the little Italian was back to his very best.

Images courtesy of Jim Rogash, Gene Sweeney Jr. and bay area bias, with thanks