All-Stars: MLS Week 18

LA Galaxy’s latest high-profile recruit is expected to make his MLS debut next weekend but who is Steven Gerrard likely to be competing with to make our line-up?

Here is our MLS team of the week…

Goalkeeper – Josh Saunders (New York City)

The stopper denied Montreal Impact time and again as his side continued to show their defensive frailties with the home side racking up 25 shots in total.

Tyrone Mears opened his MLS account

Eight of those were on target and Saunders was more than up to the challenge, even going the right way for Ignacio Piatti’s penalty that just eluded him.

Right Back – Tyrone Mears (Seattle Sounders) 

The former Bolton Wanderers defender makes it in not for his defending abilities but his goal scoring prowess this week as he opened his MLS account.

Playing against 10 men for much of the game the Sounders backline were rarely troubled but Mears’ appetite to get forward eventually resulted in him thumping in the winner. 

Centre Back – Liam Ridgewell (Portland Timbers)

The former Birmingham City defender was known, particularly in his early days at Aston Villa, as a goal scoring defender and probably should have scored this weekend.

Despite heading straight at the goalkeeper when well placed his blushes were spared and he turned in a strong performance at the other end to keep a clean sheet.

Left Back – Je-Vaughn Watson (FC Dallas)

The Jamaican full back rounds off a clean sweep of shutouts for our defenders this week and was the standout performer in his side’s display against New England Revolution.

Aggressive in his play, Watson was strong in the tackle and quick to read the play as Revolution were limited to very little in front of goal.

Finlay's an All-Star again this week

Right Midfield – Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew)

The winger is on fire at the minute and makes it back-to-back inclusions in our All-Stars as he added another two goals to his growing tally this season.

His first was a sublime curling effort that left the goalkeeper with no chance before he again came in off the wing to head home the match winner.

Centre Midfield – Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)

The Argentine playmaker was at the heart of everything good for Dallas and got them off to the perfect start when he fired his free-kick underneath the jumping wall.

He then turned provider, first for Fabian Castillo after intercepting a New England exchange before teeing up Michael Barrios with a perfectly weighted through ball.

Centre Midfield – Jack Jewsbury (Portland Timbers)

For the second time this season Portland’s veteran captain scored a stoppage-time winner to send the home fans into raptures and turn pressure into points.

Timbers dominated against San Jose Earthquakes but could not find the breakthrough until Jewsbury came to the rescue and eventually overshadowed some questionable officiating.

Left Midfield – Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy)

The American midfielder, who returned from a six-year spell with West Ham United in May, has had a growing influence on the Galaxy midfield in recent weeks.

He was again involved heavily against Toronto, winning a penalty and adding his side’s fourth goal – his fourth in just seven league games for his new side.

Villa has 3 goals in 2 games against Impact

Striker – Kei Kamara (Columbus Crew)

The former Norwich City man may not have found the net this week but his combination with team mate Finlay continued to devastate defences.

The forward set up both goals in an unselfish display, to take his partnership with Finlay to 18 goals and 16 assists already this season.

Striker – David Villa (New York City)

The Spaniard loves playing Montreal Impact and now has three goals in two appearances against the Champions League finalists after scoring both this weekend.

The first highlighted his awareness as his first touch deceived the Montreal defenders to create the space to fire in, before curling in a delightful trademark free-kick.

Striker – Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)

Determined not to be outshone by the arrival of the former Liverpool captain, Keane’s hat-trick showed he still has plenty left to offer the MLS Cup holders.

After scoring from the spot, he was in the right place to slide home a cross for his second before latching onto a poor back pass and rounding the keeper.

Images courtesy of Chris Brunskill, Jamie Sabau and Elsa, with thanks