Team of the Week: MLS Week 15

Seattle took advantage of DC United’s second straight defeat in a cut schedule of games to return to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings in Week 15.

Hamid saved a Kaka penalty in Week 15

Here’s who makes out Team of the Week...

Goalkeeper – Bill Hamid (DC United)

DC slipped to a second consecutive defeat against a resurgent Orlando City, who now sit third in the Eastern Conference, but Hamid excelled himself in a quiet game.

The United goalkeeper flung himself to his right to save the legendary Kaka’s penalty and although he could do nothing about the rebound made another two saves to keep his side in the contest.

Centre Back – Chris Wingert (New York City)

Wingert has started every game for New York City this season but produced one of his best displays so far as his side saw off Montreal 3-1 last weekend.

The full-back tucks into a three-man defence in our Team of the Week after keeping a personal cleansheet before being rested for the final 13 minutes of the game.

Centre Back – Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution)

Farrell produced an immaculate defensive display as New England ended their six-match winless streak against Chicago Fire.

The centre half has missed just one game this season and showed why as he made no fouls while guiding his team to a much needed cleansheet.

Centre Back – Aurelien Collin (Orlando City)

Since Collin’s return to the team against Chicago Fire, Orlando have won back-to-back games for the first time in MLS.

The Frenchman played 82 minutes as Orlando kept a cleansheet to beat Eastern Conference leaders DC United 1-0 and avenge two defeats earlier in the campaign.

Neagle's thunderbolt opened the scoring for Seattle vs Dallas

Right Midfield – Lamar Neagle (Seattle Sounders)

Neagle has been the best of Seattle’s supporting cast this season and produced another stand out display against FC Dallas.

The winger opened the scoring with a fierce effort from 25-yards before capping off an impressive Sounders performance with the cross for Leo Gonzalez’s second career goal.

Centre Midfield – Mehdi Ballouchy (New York City)

Ballouchy is becoming an extremely influential player for New York. His assist against Montreal means he has now scored or assisted over 25% of his side’s goals this season.

The Moroccan is in his tenth season in MLS and brings a much needed experience to the New York midfield as well as sitting second, behind David Villa, in the club goalscoring chart with three.

Centre Midfield – Kwadwo Poku (New York City)

Poku was only on the pitch for 15 minutes but still had enough to assist the game-winning goal and provide a safety net with first MSL goal.

The powerful youngster boasts a set of physical attributes comparable to Manchester City’s Yaya Toure and could dominate MLS in the years to come.

Left Midfield – Diego Fagundez (New England Revolution)

New England have been in a rut lately and with the score at 0-0 approaching the hour mark against Chicago, they looked to be heading for a seventh game without victory.

Fagundez’ splendid right-foot volley flashed into the Chicago net in the 58^th minute and two minutes later New England were cruising at 2-0; a game changer.

Villa is NYCFC's top-scorer with 4 goals

Striker – David Villa (New York City)

The World Cup winner is yet to set MLS on fire but produced enough to suggest that his best might be just around the corner as he scored one and assisted another in New York’s third league win.

Villa notched his fourth goal of the season from close range to open the scoring before teeing up fellow team of the week nominee Poku for the decisive third goal.

Striker – Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders)

Martins scored the second and assisted the third in a thirty minute cameo that showed exactly why he is the most feared striker in MLS at the moment.

His 72^nd minute striker ended a three-match goal drought and helped Seattle return to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings above DC United.

Striker – Charlie Davies (New England Revolution)

We are just approaching the half way point of MLS’ 20^th season but Davies has already doubled his goal tally from last year and looks set to hit double figures for the first time.

The striker headed home his sixth of the season for his side’s second against Chicago and is forming a deadly combination with versatile forward Teal Bunbury.

Images courtesy of Rob Carr, Victor Decolongon and Elsa, with thanks.