MLS Aces Week 31 Team of the Week
GK: Zach MacMath, Colorado Rapids
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Remember when everyone thought MacMath would have a starting job somewhere in MLS this season? Yeah.. me too. Well, MacMath isn't a bad backup to have. MacMath played FC Dallas this week and only allowed one goal in the tough tie. In the process of the tie MacMath recorded six saves and without a doubt had the best week of any goalkeeper.
DEF: Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls
4x MLS Aces Team of the Week
The reigning USL Defender of the Year has been a nice surprise all season long for the Red Bulls and maybe could be the replacement for Matt Miazga who left a few seasons ago. Long this week was part of a Red Bull backline that shutout the Western Conference leading Whitecaps. Long was easily the best defender on the field in this game and shut down the likes of Erik Hurtado and Fredy Montero.
DEF: Brent Kallman, Minnesota United FC
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Brent Kallman has been another surprise defender this season. As one of the few players brought back after the teams move from NASL to MLS, Kallman wasn't expected to do much. Now, Kallman is typically an every week starter and made a name for himself around the league. This Kallman played in both of Minnesota's games where Minnesota allowed a total of three goals. That may not sound too impressive but two of the goals came from Atlanta who can score waaaay more than two in a game. Kallman also had a game tying goal against SKC that saved a point for Minnesota.
DEF: Ike Opara, Sporting Kansas City
6x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Speaking of SKC... my pick for Defender of the Year had one hell of a game against Minnesota. Opara was the veteran presence on the defense as SKC was missing Besler and Zusi due to international duty. Opara did a great job and marked Christian Ramirez well all game long. Though a late goal ripped three points from SKC, Opara played a phenomenal game and should be recognized for his amazing growth this season.
DEF: Matt Hedges, FC Dallas
6x MLS Aces Team of the Week
The final defender this week is reigning MLS Defender of the Year, Matt Hedges. Hedges has had a bit of an up and down year but that could be due to the lack of consistent play from Walker Zimmerman as well. However, this week Hedges had a great game and only allowed one goal to the opposing Colorado Rapids. Hedges didn't allow much to happen all game long as he was the leader for the Dallas defense.
MID: Kevin Molino, Minnesota United FC
4x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Kevin Molino has quietly been one of the best players on Minnesota this season. In Minnesota's game against Atlanta, Molino assisted on the game's opening goal scored by Abu Danladi. Then Molino came in clutch and maybe scored the most important goal of his career. Molino put away a beautiful header in stoppage time that sealed a win for the Loons over fellow expansion team, Atlanta United. Molino has been a great leader on this team and once again improved his stock in MLS.
MID: Tyler Adams, New York Red Bulls
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
What a last couple of weeks this kid has had. Tyler Adams is tearing things up on all MLS fields and has single handedly lead the Red Bulls to a playoff spot. The recent poor form by the Red Bulls has been worry-some but Adams was making sure that Montreal and Philly were eliminated after this week. Adams showed off his passing ability as he assisted on two of the Red Bull's three goals. Adams first assisted on Daniel Royer's game opening goal and then on BWP's 58th minute goal.
MID: Sacha Kljestan, New York Red Bulls
4x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Speaking of in form Red Bull midfielders, Sacha Kljestan had himself a big week. Similarly to Adams week, Sacha racked up two assists in the Red Bulls 3-0 win over Vancouver. Sacha also assisted on Daniel Royer's 33rd minute goal. He did then assist on the game's final goal scored by Felipe in the 72nd minute. With Sacha and Adams in form in recent weeks, it may give the Red Bulls a slim shot going into the MLS Cup playoffs.
MID: Stefan Aigner, Colorado Rapids
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Aigner may be someone who people didn't realize was signed by the Rapids this summer but he has sure made an immediate impact. The Rapids new German midfielder has showed off his ability with the ball at his feet and this week scored the lone goal against FC Dallas. Though the game turned into a draw, when the ball was with Aigner FC Dallas defenders took notice. This is a positive step moving forward as the Rapids need ANYONE else besides Dominique Badji that can make opposing teams nervous.
FOR: Abu Danladi, Minnesota United FC
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Abu Danladi is one of the most intimidating young talents that MLS has to offer. Danladi stepped up in a huge week for Minnesota as they took away four points from Atlanta and Kansas City. Danladi is a guy who will be playing alongside Christian Ramirez as a starter next season. Danladi scored the game opening goal against Atlanta in the 48th minute. Then Danladi went out against Kansas City and he assisted on the game tying goal scored by Brent Kallman.
FOR: Diego Rubio, Sporting Kansas City
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Dom Dwyer who? Diego Rubio has taken his opportunity at starting for SKC and run away with it. Rubio came out this week looking to continue his great form from USL and even MLS. Rubio scored the lone goal for SKC in the 45th minute and let SKC have the lead for almost the entire second half. It will be interesting to see if Rubio is continued to start in place of Dwyer or is SKC looks to bring in a rotation of guys for the playoffs.
Bench:
GK: Jesse Gonzalez, FC Dallas
4x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-1 goal allowed
-2 saves
-Tie
DEF: Kemar Lawrence, New York Red Bulls
6x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-0 goals allowed
DEF: Erik Palmer-Brown, Sporting Kansas City
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-1 goal allowed
MID: Daniel Royer, New York Red Bulls
4x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-1 goal
-Game winning goal
MID: Miguel Ibarra, Minnesota United FC
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-2 games
-1 assist
FOR: Christian Ramirez, Minnesota United FC
4x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-2 games
-1 goal
-Game tying goal in 90th minute
FOR: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
4x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-1 goal
