MLS 2017 Week 4 Team of the Week
GK: Luis Robles, New York Red Bulls
1x Team of the Week
Robles once again dominated in an MLS game and was able to help the Red Bulls keep a 0-0 draw. The 32 year old keeper was able to record 4 saves in the shutout. Robles is an anchor in net for the Red Bulls and is a reliable keeper behind an ever-changing backline. The 5’11 keeper will go down as one of the best to ever play in MLS.
DEF: Aaron Maund, Real Salt Lake
1x Team of the Week
Maund making his first appearance for RSL this season and he already made a huge impact. Maund was easily the best defender on the field in this game. Maund was slowing down BWP and the rest of the New York attack. Maund made a few goal saving blocks that were key to their 0-0 tie.
DEF: Kemar Lawrence, New York Red Bulls
1x Team of the Week
Kemar Lawrence had an injury scare in week four but came back strong. Lawrence teamed up with Aaron Long to solidify a shutout tie for the Red Bulls. Kemar had a tough task of handling the young Brooks Lennon and he handled it with great care. Lawrence out sped Lennon and handled the left back position with his usual ease. If the young Jamaican can stay health the Red Bulls are in good hands at left back.
DEF: Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls
1x Team of the Week
Long seems to be the next every day starter for the Red Bulls backline since they sold Matt Miazga. Long was able to win USL Cup with the Red Bulls II last season and also won USL Defender of the Year. Long has looked very good to start the year for the Red Bulls and doesn’t seem like he is going to slow down. The 24 year old slowed down Brooks Lennon and Yura Movsisyan on Saturday and was able to help the Red Bulls get to a 0-0 shutout.
DEF: Chris Tierney, New England Revolution
1x Team of the Week
Chris Tierney is easily one of the best passing defenders in MLS. Tierney pushes up the field with easy and puts in beautiful crosses into the attacking box. Chris Tierney assisted on the first goal of the game that was scored by Juan Agudelo. It was a great cross that Agudelo was able to head it home. Tierney finished up his day offensively with a 53rd minute PK goal. He was very good on the defensive side of things as well. Tierney didn't allow things down the sideline and was able to turn things around and push it down the field.
MID: Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution
1x Team of the Week
Diego Fagundez took advantage of a weak defense and he was able to assist on two passes. First, Fagundez assisted on Kei Kamara's 21st minute goal and then later assisted on Juan Agudelo's 41st minute goal. Diego put on display a passing clinic. He was able to connect with Agudelo, Kamara, and Nguyen all game long.
MID: Tyler Adams, New York Red Bulls
1x Team of the Week
Wow... MLS has meet its next teenage superstar. Adams made his mark in MLS pretty quick with a goal line save. Adams got back and cleared a ball on what seemed to be an easy goal. Tyler Adams proved to be an amazing #6 in this game. I would be excited to see him play even more for the Red Bulls possibly over Sean Davis. Even if Adams doesn't start anymore he adds a great piece of bench depth going into a future playoff run.
MID: Lee Nguyen, New England Revolution
1x Team of the Week
I don't know if you want to get technical with whether he is a forward or a midfielder... to me he's a midfielder. Nguyen was able to score a 32nd minute PK goal. Nguyen was also able to grab an assist as he assisted on Kei Kamara's 21st minute goal. Nguyen was greatly improved from last season already and hopefully (for NE fans sake) this game is a jump starter for the rest of the season.
MID: Federico Higuain, Columbus Crew SC
1x Team of the Week
Higuain was the main reason why Columbus beat Portland this week. Higuain recorded an assist on Ola Kamara's 19 minute goal. Higuain was able to abuse the weakened Portland centerbacks all game long and out in beautiful passes. The veteran DP for the Crew showed why he wasn't the one traded last season. If the Crew hope to keep winning than they will need to rely on Higuain to connect Will Trapp, Justin Meram, Ethan Finlay, and Ola Kamara.
FOR: Niko Hansen, Columbus Crew SC
1x Team of the Week
There weren't too many standout forwards this week but you can't deny the impact that Niko Hansen had this week. Hansen came on in the 60th minute to make his Columbus Crew SC debut. Hansen would later break the 2-2 tie and score the game winner in the 84th minute. Hansen played well and could add another striker piece to Columbus.
FOR: Juan Agudelo, New England Revolution
1x Team of the Week
Along with Chris Tierney, Diego Fagundez, Lee Nguyen, and Kei Kamara, Juan Agudelo stared against Minnesota United. Agudelo started the scoring of the game with an early 4th minute goal. He later finished his brace with a 41st minute goal. Not much else to say here... Agudelo dominated in week 4 and was the forward that all NE fans wanted him to be since 2015.
Bench:
GK: Matt VanOekel, Real Salt Lake
1x Team of the Week
DEF: Chris Wingert, Real Salt Lake
1x Team of the Week
DEF: Alvas Powell, Portland Timbers
1x Team of the Week
MID: Collen Warner, Minnesota United FC
1X Team of the Week
MID: Justin Meram, Columbus Crew SC
2x Team of the Week
FOR: Fanendo Adi, Portland Timbers
2x Team of the Week
FOR: Kei Kamra, New England Revolution
1x Team of the Week
