2017 MLS Week 11 Team of the Week
GK: Alex Bono, TFC
2x Team of the Week
The young TFC keeper has seen plenty of action with Clint Irwin having some injury issues the last two seasons. In his starting time he has impressed and these last two games are no different. In TFC's first game against the Columbus Crew, Bono was able to only allow one goal while making five saves in the win. Bono followed that up with a two save and two goals allowed game against a rising Minnesota team. Bono impressed and even though he isn't a full time starter yet, there is a ton of skill there.
DEF: Jelle Van Damme, LA
2x Team of the Week
One of the best defenders from 2016 finally played to that ability in 2017. In his best game of the 2017 campaign Van Damme was able to hold a shutout for most of the game. The Galaxy allowed a garbage time goal when the team had to go down to ten men. Arguably, Van Damme was the best player on the field in a game where we saw a brace from Alessandrini.
DEF: Oguchi Onyewu, PHI
1x Team of the Week
You thought he was done huh? Onyewu had a big time game on both sides of the field for the Union in their second straight win. Onyewu and the rest of the Philly backline was able to hold a shutout against the D.C. United squad. While playing well on defense, Onyewu was able to score his first goal in MLS on a corner kick.
DEF: Liam Ridgewell, POR
1x Team of the Week
Speaking of goal scoring defenders... Liam Ridgewell had what was probably his best game of 2017. Ridgewell scored the Timbers lone goal in the 1-1 tie against Atlanta United FC. Besides being the team's lone offense, Ridgwell played strong at center back and only allowed one goal to a loaded Atlanta United FC team.
DEF: Adolfo Machado, HOU
2x Team of the Week
The final defender in this week's team is the large South American out of Houston. Machado and the rest of the Dynamo defense only allowed one goal to the Whitecaps and secured a huge win. Their win allowed them to acquire first place in the Western Conference. Machado's presence on the backline is easily noticeable and would be missed if out of the starting XI.
MID: Shkelsen Gashi, COL
1x Team of the Week
This man right here makes me happy and sad all at the same time. He has so much skill and ability on the ball... but he doesn't produce every game. He sure did produce this week. Gashi was able to score a brace in Colorado's 3-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes. If Gashi can play like this every week the Rapids might have less of an offensive problem.
MID: Justin Meram, CRW
5x Team of the Week
The Crew will rely on Justin Meram for a lot this season. Meram had a huge impact on the Crew's 3-2 win over the Impact. Meram happened to score all three goals for the Crew. The Iraqi international has been huge all season long and once again he impacted on all scoring opportunities for the Crew.
MID: Lee Nguyen, NE
3x Team of the Week
The Revs needed their big names to produce this season to succeed and so far they have. Once again a big name produced for them. Nguyen factored in on three of the teams four goals. Nguyen scored one goal for himself and assisted on two others. The USMNT midfielder is looking good for the Revs and is the main reason why others around him are producing.
MID: Haris Medujanin, PHI
1x Team of the Week
The MLS Aces Player of the Week belongs to the Union midfielder, Haris Medujanin. Medujanin was the main source of the Union's offense as he was able to score a goal and assist on two more for the Union. Medujanin assisted on Onyewu and Picault's goal and was also a very good defensive midfielder. This was a surprising quiet and impactful signing for MLS.
FOR: Tosaint Ricketts, TFC
1x Team of the Week
Throughout Toronto's two games this week Ricketts stepped up and was able to score a total of three goals. With recent injuries to some key players for TFC, Ricketts will be needed for scoring and starting as well for TFC. The Canadian international is very talented and showed his skill against multiple teams in week eleven.
FOR: Nemanja Nikolic, CHI
3x Team of the Week
I picked this guy to lead Chicago in scoring and be top ten in scoring as well before the season started. Nikolic has now dominated the last seven games for the Fire and this was no different. Against defending Champion Seattle Sounders, Nikolic was able to score himself a brace and also get an assist on the day. A big day from Nikolic was the reason why the Fire dominated Seattle.
Bench:
GK: Cody Cropper, NE
1x Team of the Week
DEF: Antonio Delamea, NE
2x Team of the Week
DEF: Matt Besler, SKC
1x Team of the Week
MID: David Accam, CHI
2x Team of the Week
MID: Romain Alessandrini, LA
4x Team of the Week
FOR: Latif Blessing, SKC
1x Team of the Week
FOR: Giovanni Dos Santos, LA
1x Team of the Week
