Vancouver Whitecaps returned to winning ways and to the top
of the overall MLS standings in Week 10, as LA Galaxy slipped further into
mid-table mediocrity.
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| Bingham was one of three keepers to save a penalty this week |
Goalkeeper: David Bingham
(San Jose Earthquakes)
Nick Rimando and Chris Konopka might count themselves
unlucky after both made penalty saves, but one good performance wasn’t enough
to match Bingham this week.
The San Jose stopper excelled himself twice during Week 10– his penalty save against
Houston Dynamo ensured victory before he made four saves to earn a point at
Colorado Rapids.
Right Back: James Riley (Colorado Rapids)
At 32, Riley is now with his seventh MLS franchise after
leaving LA Galaxy to join the Rapids and he made an immediate impression as his
93rd minute header earned a well deserved point.
Colorado enjoyed much the better of their game with San Jose
but looked set for a third defeat of the season until the defender popped up
with the equaliser in just his second Rapids game.
Centre Back: Aurelien
Collin (Orlando City)
Since being dismissed on the first day of the season, Collin
has been the model of consistency for Adrian Heath’s struggling side.
The Frenchman was a regular scorer during his time with
Sporting Kansas City and chose the perfect time to find his first for Orlando
City, as he powered home a last minute equaliser.
Centre Back: Kendall
Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Waston is becoming a regular feature in our team of the week
as Whitecaps continue to rack up cleansheets – their 3-0 win over Philadelphia
Union was their sixth shutout this season.
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| Diaz is dazzling for Dallas |
Left Back: Demar
Phillips (Real Salt Lake)
Former Stoke City full back
Phillips is in his first MLS season with Real Salt Lake and had a great week as
Jeff Cassar’s side picked up four points to kick start their season after a
poor April.
Phillips helped the side to a
cleansheet against MLS Cup holders LA Galaxy before producing another splendid
performance as Salt Lake ended their five-match winless run against Chicago
Fire.
Centre Midfield: Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)
The Argentine makes it back-to-back
appearances in our MLS All-Stars after assisting both goals as Dallas moved
level on points with Supporters’ Shield leaders Vancouver Whitecaps.
Diaz has struck up a great
understanding with Fabian Castillo, and the duo have combined to assist nine of
Dallas’ 17 goals this season.
Centre Midfield:
Jordan Allen (Real Salt Lake)
Allen signed a homegrown contract with Salt Lake in 2014 and
after providing two assists in Salt Lake’s 2-1 win over Chicago Fire, looks set
for a big future in MLS.
Academy products are beginning to have an impact on MLS, and
the performances of Allen and co. show just how important franchise youth
system’s will be in the coming years.
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| Valeri scored on his first start of the year |
Valeri looked like he had never been away as he curled in a
Thierry Henry-esque winner for Portland Timbers in his first start since
returning from an ACL injury.
The all-action midfielder was sorely missed by Timbers during
his lengthy spell on the sidelines; but who wouldn’t miss a man who averages a
goal every three games from midfield?
Striker: Clint
Dempsey (Seattle Sounders)
Seattle slipped to a 3-2 defeat to Columbus but Dempsey made
it seven goals in seven games this season on top of his four assists this
season.
The US captain curled a marvellous first in off the base of
the post before following up on Obafemi Martins’ effort to take their
partnership to 13 goals for the season.
Striker: Kei Kamara
(Columbus Crew)
After returning to MLS following spells in England with
Norwich City and Middlesbrough, Kamara has been on fire and hit his third brace
of the season against Seattle Sounders.
The first man from Sierra Leone to play in the English
Premier League, is level with Dempsey on seven goals this season and had the
last laugh on Saturday tapping home the winner.
Striker: Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)
On the day New York Red Bulls exerted their dominance over new boys New York City, Wright-Phillips comprehensively outplayed their rivals World Cup-winning striker David Villa.
Dom Dwyer was originally in our team of the week, but, not for the first time, Wright-Phillips has pushed him into second following his two-goal man of the match performance.
Images courtesy Thearon W. Henderson, R.Yeatts and Scott Halleran, with thanks.
On the day New York Red Bulls exerted their dominance over new boys New York City, Wright-Phillips comprehensively outplayed their rivals World Cup-winning striker David Villa.
Dom Dwyer was originally in our team of the week, but, not for the first time, Wright-Phillips has pushed him into second following his two-goal man of the match performance.
Images courtesy Thearon W. Henderson, R.Yeatts and Scott Halleran, with thanks.
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