MLS Week 17 Team of the Week
Since we are on the road this week I have to apologize for not having each players team of the week appearances under their names. Once again sorry and I hope you enjoy the week 17 Team of the Week:
GK: Andre Blake, Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake looked like his 2016 form as the Jamaican keeper help a shutout against the struggling D.C. United offense. Blake is a long and athletic keeper that saves many games for the Union. This week Blake was able to record four saves in the shutout win. Union fans shouldn’t get used to Blake in net for much longer as he is receiving some interest in Europe.
DEF: Ike Opara, Sporting Kansas City
Ike Opara is a contender for Defender of the Year as he has been the anchor for the dominating SKC backline all season long. Opara is able to give SKC a great center-back combination and this week he held the Galaxy to only one goal. The one goal that SKC did allow wasn’t even a solid goal. Opara also factored in on the offensive game as he scored one of his team’s two goals.
DEF: Matt Poslter, Chicago Fire
Matt Polster is now a converted midfielder playing right-back for the Fire. He has played well at the fullback position and now should be a fulltime defender. Polster has now solidified that position for the Fire and made the Fire very happy. Polster played great on defense as he and the Fire defense held a shutout against the Orlando City squad. Finally, Polster was able to get an assist in this game as he assisted on David Accam’s first goal.
DEF: Joevin Jones, Seattle Sounders
When looking at the scoreline of the game you may not think any Sounder had themselves a good week. Joevin Jones did have a very good week even while the Sounders allowed two goals (one being a PK). Jones barely let any offensive game happy on the left wing. Jones also impacted the offensive game as he scored the game’s first goal. Jones put in a beautiful rebound as the Timbers played some awful defense. Similar to Andre Blake, Sounders fans shouldn’t expect to see Jones in MLS for long.
DEF: Ben Sweat, New York City FC
This week’s defender of the week is NYCFC’s left-back Ben Sweat. Sweat had himself a great week as he and the NYCFC backline held the Red Bulls to zero goals in the NY Derby. Sweat has been filling in for Ronald Mattarita (who has been injured) and has done a phenomenal job. His game also went into the offensive side of things as he first assisted on Jack Harrison’s opening goal and then later scored the game’s second goal.
MID: Federico Higuain, Columbus Crew SC
When Federico Higuain is playing well so do the Columbus Crew. When he isn’t then the Crew falter as well. Higuain had himself a very good week as he put away two goals in the 17th and 88th minutes. Besides having himself a brace in this game he was able to facilitate all the forward offensive movement and lead the team to scoring two more goals in the process. The long time captain of the black and yellow will need to keep playing well if the Crew want to make it back into the playoffs.
MID: Miguel Almiron, Atlanta United FC
Before I brought up a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, now here is a candidate for Newcomer of the Year. Almiron and Atlanta United had two games this week, one they lost and one they won. Almiron was able to factor in both games as he recorded two assists total in the week. Almiron assisted on a goal scored by Julian Gressel in the game against D.C. United. Later in the week he assisted on the team’s lone goal scored by Josef Martinez against Colorado.
MID: Kevin Molino, Minnesota United FC
When Adrian Heath took over as manager of Minnesota United FC he made it a mission to go after his former #10, this week was a perfect example why. Molino has become the teams best player maker in the midfield as he racked up two assists over the team’s two games this week. Molino first assisted on Christian Ramirez’s goal against Portland and also assisted on Francisco Calvo’s goal against Vancouver.
MID: David Accam, Chicago Fire
Accam is EASILY this week’s Player of the Week as he dominated in the Fire’s 4-0 win over Orlando City. Accam went on to have a hat trick as he scored goals in the 3rd, 8th, and 63rd minutes. One of his goal is also up for Goal of the Week as he put a backheel past Joe Bendik. Accam wasn’t done as he assisted on Nemanja Nikolic’s 52nd minute goal.
FOR: Ola Kamara, Columbus Crew SC
The Crew as very nicely shown in this week’s team of the week. Ola Kamara had himself a nice week as he scored a goal and assisted on another. Kamara would first assist on a goal scored by Kekuta Manneh and then later score on a ball assisted by Manneh. The striker is well ready to lead this team as long as others around him can facilitate some offense.
FOR: Jack McBean, LA Galaxy
The final player on this week’s Team of the Week is Galaxy forward Jack McBean. Galaxy fans have been waiting awhile for his emergence in the first team and this week he scored himself a brace against Colorado. With a chance to make some good impressions with Onalfo and the Galaxy coaching staff, McBean needs to keep scoring.
Bench:
GK: Tim Melia, Sporting Kansas City
DEF: Adolfo Machado, Houston Dynamo
DEF: Matt Besler, Sporting Kansas City
MID: Kekuta Manneh, Columbus Crew SC
MID: Christian Techera, Vancouver Whitecaps
FOR: Danny Hoesen, San Jose Earthquakes
FOR: Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders
