2017 MLS Week 5 Team of the Week
GK: Bill Hamid, DCU
1x Team of the Week
Besides a late slip up, by allowing CJ Sapong to score, Bill Hamid had a masterful game in the net for D.C. United. A strong defensive game as a whole still didn't stop Hamid from having to make seven saves on the night. The heavily tested Hamid dominated like we have come accustomed to. Hamid makes the most difference at goalkeeper in MLS and once again this was shown against Philly.
DEF: Maxime Chanot, NYC
1x Team of the Week
NYCFC struggles early on defense but found a cohesive rhythm as the game progressed. Chanot played well with the other defenders on the backline to help the struggling Sean Johnson. One slip up early on does not show how great Chanot and NYCFC was defensively for around 85 minutes.
DEF: Josh Smith, NE
1x Team of the Week
The 26 year old rookie made his Revolution debut and did a pretty good job in slowing Fanendo Adi. Adi is one of the most physical strikers in MLS and Josh Smith did a pretty good job in matching him physically. The Revolution needed an upgrade at center-back coming into the season and if Smith can perform like this on a regular basis than he could be the next Chad Marshall.
DEF: Dylan Remick, HOU
1x Team of the Week
Dylan Remick subbed in at left-back for the Dynamo this week. The former Sounder defender has played well since joining the Dynamo. Remick impacted the game offensively this week by scoring the first goal for Houston that the Red Bulls would later match. That would be the only goal that Remick and the Houston defense would allow on the day. A goal scored and one goal allowed against a very good team lands him on the Team of the Week.
DEF: Ronald Matarrita, NYC
1x Team of the Week
The final defender on the week 5 team of the week is NYCFC left-back, Ronald Matarrita. As an avid NYCFC fan I understand Matarrita's role on offense. He pushes down the left side of the field and is an excellent passer. Matarrita's passing lead him to two assists on both of NYCFC's goals. As I stated earlier NYCFC's backline played well on defense all game long.
MID: Romain Allesandrini, LA
2x Team of the Week
The Galaxy have started off very slow, but one bright spot is Romain Allesandrini. The former Ligue 1 winger was the only offensive factor for the Galaxy this week. Allesandrini scored both goals for the Galaxy and held the ball well in the midfield. He is connecting well with Emmanuel Boateng and Jack McBean. Galaxy fans can only hope that he begins to connect well with the comeback of Gyasi Zardes and Giovanni Dos Santos.
MID: Kevin Molino, MIN
1x Team of the Week
Kevin Molino has a phenomenal week and earns the honor of player of the week. Molino scored early on to tie things up for the Loons. He was then able to assist on Minnesota's next goal to give the Loons a 2-1 lead. His day wasn't done though... Molino did later assist on Venegas's 68th minute goal to finish his strong offensive day. One goal and two assists isn't bad for any player in any week.
MID: Matias Laba, VAN
1x Team of the Week
Matias Laba is typically known as a defensive midfielder (at least in my head) but he has played well on both sides of the ball in 2017. This week Laba broke his defensive mold once again and scored a brace with goals coming in the 67th and 87th minute. He did well seeing the play in front of him and then getting up the field into the opponents box.
MID: Justin Meram, CRW
3x Team of the Week
The Columbus Crew defeated Orlando City this week 2-0.... both of the Crew's goals were scored by midfielder, Justin Meram. Meram started the game with a 13 minute goal and later killed off any chances by the Lions with a 77th minute goal. Meram has been in (arguably) the best form of his career and leading the way for Columbus.
FOR: Christian Ramirez, MIN
1x Team of the Week
The former NASL golden boot winner is off to a hot start in MLS. His brace this week against RSL gives him four goals through five weeks. Ramirez is making a name for himself in MLS and I've heard plenty call for him to have a USMNT call up. Many think he also has the skill, strength, and ability to win the MLS golden boot in 2017.
FOR: Cubo Torres, HOU
1x Team of the Week
The Dynamo had only two goal scorers in their 4-1 win over the Red Bulls... and I already named one of them. Erick "Cubo" Torres has seemed to have a revelation this offseason and found his previous MLS form. Cubo had a hat trick this week; a PK coming in the 41st minute, a second goal in the 56th minute, and third goal coming in extra time. I'm happy to see Cubo back in form, it would have been a waste of a career if he fell off the planet.
Bench:
GK: Zach Steffen, CRW
2x Team of the Week
DEF: Antonio Delamea, NE
1x Team of the Week
DEF: Steve Birnbaum, DCU
1x Team of the Week
MID: Tommy McNamara, NYC
1x Team of the Week
MID: Bastian Schweinsteiger, CHI
1x Team of the Week
FOR: Freddy Montero, VAN
1x Team of the Week
FOR: David Villa, NYC
2x Team of the Week
