MLS Aces Week 32 Team of the Week
GK: Tyler Deric, Houston Dynamo
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Tyler Deric was everywhere in both of his games against SKC this week. In total Deric started in net for two games, allowed one goal, had 13 saves, and came out with a total of 4 points. When Deric is in net he is a huge boost to that Houston defense. Deric was especially impressive in Houston's away game at KC. Deric made some unbelievable goal-line saves that saved the game for Houston and secured a tie.
DEF: Jake Nerwinski, Vancouver Whitecaps
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Nerwinski is really impressing in his last few games. The rookie full-back has a nack for defending his side of the field well and then overlapping up the field. Nerwinski does what the modern day full-back is asked to do. This week he and the Vancouver backline only allowed one goal to San Jose. Also, Nerwinski was able to show off his passing as he assisted on Yordy Reyna's goal.
DEF: Alvas Powell, Portland Timbers
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
The Jamaican full-back is one of my favorite players to watch in MLS. The guy is fast, can defend, and can pass a bit as well. Powell this week did all of those things as he and the Timbers dominated D.C. United 4-0. Of the four goals scored, Powell scored one and did so impressively. Powell cut the ball in towards the box and put a curler into the bottom corner past a diving Steve Clark. Besides scoring a great goal, Powell and the Timbers backline allowed 0 goals to D.C.
DEF: Michael Ciani, Los Angeles Galaxy
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Ciani has been pretty quiet since his arrival to LA a few weeks ago. Ciani had a fantastic week this week and maybe gave some Galaxy fans hope... maybe? Ciani was an anchor for the Galaxy backline all game long as his great defending allowed Jonathan Dos Santos and Jermaine Jones to play their games in the midfield. Ciani gave the Galaxy some peace of mind defensively all game long and slowed the attack of Christian Ramirez and Abu Danladi.
DEF: Andrew Farrell, New England Revolution
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
The final defender this week is the MLS veteran, Andrew Farrell. 2Fast2Farrell had a stellar game on both sides of the ball as the Revs upset NYCFC 2-1. The Revs had help with Jack Harrison getting shown red, but Farrell did well defending David Villa all game long. The Revs only allowed one late goal to NYCFC and really kept them out of scoring all game long. Farrell help offensively as he assisted on a goal scored by Diego Fagundez in the 51st minute.
MID: Romain Alessandrini, Los Angeles Galaxy
7x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Literally the only shining star in the galaxy in 2017. The French midfielder had a fantastic game leading the Galaxy to a 3-0 win in the team's final home game of the year. Alessandrini started the scoring in the 11th minute putting away a low shot past Bobby Shuttleworth. Alessandrini then went on to assist on a Jonathan Dos Santos goal, then scored his second in the 90th minute.
MID: Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers
11x MLS Aces Team of the Week
M-V-P? M-V-P? He sure is making a case for himself. Valeri is now only the second player in MLS history to score 20+ goals and 10+ assists in a single season. Valeri put away a penalty kick in the 45th minute to give the Timbers a 1-0. Then, in the second half, Valeri would go on to assist on two goals. One of those goals scored by Alvas Powell and the other scored by Sebastian Blanco.
MID: Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Imagine if he could be a consistent player for the Revs? Fagundez had a stellar week as he was the reason for the Revs 2-1 upset of NYCFC. Fagundez put away a beautiful shot from distance and gave his team a 1-0. Then Fagundez would put away a second goal late to seal the deal and secure three points for New England.
MID: Sebastian Blanco, Portland Timbers
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
I was surprised when I saw that this was his first time on the team of the week... but here he is now. Blanco has a great second half as he would score two goals. Blanco has been stellar for Portland all season long and once again showed his class. Blanco's first goal came in the 60th minute as he put a BEAUTY into the top corner. His second came in the 86th minute as he seemingly dribbled around 10 defenders to put away the easy goal and make it 4-0.
FOR: Will Bruin, Seattle Sounders
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Will Bruin was an awesome addition to the Sounders this offseason and with Jordan Morris done for the year, he will be needed in the playoffs. This week Bruin showed off exactly what he can do. He had himself a brace against FC Dallas as he scored goals in the 64th and 67th minutes. His first goal was putting away a rebound but his second was set up perfectly by teammates.
FOR: Nemanja Nikolic, Chicago Fire
9x MLS Aces Team of the Week
The final player is the Golden Boot leader himself, Nemanja Nikolic. Nikolic added three more goals to his season total this week as he lead the Fire past the Union 3-2. Nikolic would score one of his goals from the penalty spot but his other two came from accurate Brandon Vincent passes. Nikolic's first goal came in the 3rd minute as he outpaced Union defenders and slotted one past Andre Blake. Then Nikolic finished his day with a78th minute goal that once again just got by Blake.
Bench:
GK: Tim Howard, Colorado Rapids
4x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-0 goals allowed
-7 saves
-Win
DEF: Brandon Vincent, Chicago Fire
5x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-2 goals allowed
-2 assists
DEF: Hector Jimenez, Columbus Crew SC
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-0 goals allowed
-1 assist
MID: Jonathan Dos Santos, Los Angeles Galaxy
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 goal
-Key player in 3-0 win over Minnesota
MID: Yordy Reyna, Vancouver Whitecaps
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 goal (Vancouver's lone goal)
FOR: Ola Kamara, Columbus Crew SC
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 goal (GWG)
FOR: Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC
5x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 goal (GWG)
