MLS Week 18 Team of the Week
GK: Tim Howard, Colorado Rapids
2x Team of the Week
Tim Howard was quite busy this week going up against the offense of Romell Quioto, Cubo Torres, and Alberth Elis. Timmy came up clutch as the Rapids defeated the much better Houston Dynamo. Tim Howard only allowed one goal to the offensive power house Dynamo. While only allowing one goal Howard had to record a total of six saves in the win. A great week from the USMNT goalkeeper puts him on the Team of the Week for only the second time this year.
DEF: Matt Polster, Chicago Fire
2x Team of the Week
The newly converted right-back has been phenomenal for the Fire. Their defense has been sured up and now have two very good fullbacks on the MLS level. They also have two fullbacks that we might see in USMNT play as well. Polster had a great week by shutting out the Whitecaps 4-0. Polster also couldn't lose his midfield impact as he assisted on two goals, the goals being scored by Nemanja Nikolic and Arturo Alvarez.
DEF: Alexander Callens, New York City FC
2x Team of the Week
NYCFC needed to strengthen their center-backs this offseason and they did so by signing the 25 year old Peruvian. Callens has done a great job all season long and this week he and the NYCFC backline only allowed one goal to Minnesota United. The lone goal from Minnesota came from Christian Ramirez which isn't too shocking. Callens played strong on the defensive side of things but the game also felt his offensive impact. Callens scored one of NYCFC's three goals in this game.
DEF: Chris Duvall, Montreal Impact
1x Team of the Week
I thought that Chris Duvall would have much more of an impact for Montreal than he has had but I guess it's better late than never. Duvall and the Montreal defense shutout D.C. United and picked up a crucial three points in the Eastern Conference. Duvall also scored his first goal in an Impact uniform as he put away a little chip pass. Duvall set the play up and finished it off himself.
DEF: Kevin Ellis, Sporting Kansas City
1x Team of the Week
The replacement center-back for SKC had himself a great week. Ellis was filling in for Matt Besler since he is away for the Gold Cup. Elis was the best defender of the field for SKC as they only allowed one goal in the tie with the Portland Timbers. Elis may not be a guy known around MLS households but he is a crucial MLS veteran for this dominant Kansas City defense.
MID: Jack Harrison, New York City FC
2x Team of the Week
In recent news the young Englishman has stated that he may follow the Dom Dwyer national team path. But Harrison had himself a great week as NYCFC beat Minnesota United FC. Harrison scored a goal in the 52nd minute to put New York up one. Harrison would also assist on David Villa's 63rd minute goal. Harrison has improved his game from last season and now continues to show off his skill game in and game out.
MID: Roland Lamah, FC Dallas
2x Team of the Week
Roland Lamah's MLS experiment has worked out well for FC Dallas. The former La Liga winger is now dominating defenses in MLS and in week 18 he was able to score a brace. Dallas was able to beat a top TFC team by Lamah's goals in the 5th and 21st minutes to put FCD up 2-0 early. Lamah has been a great winger opposite Michael Barrios and now FC Dallas looks to once again dominate MLS defenses.
MID: Marlon Hairston, Colorado Rapids
1x Team of the Week
Marlon Hairston impressed last season with his ability to add some offense to the Colorado Rapids. Hairston finally added some offensive threat in 2017. Hairston was able to score himself a brace as the Rapids beat the tough Houston Dynamo. Hairston was able to get past a full strength Dynamo backline and score two very impressive goals in the 48th and 69th minutes. Hairston's goal would be the eventual game winner and game sealer.
MID: Blerim Dzemaili, Montreal Impact
2x Team of the Week
The final midfielder this week has been a very unnoticed signing for the Impact. Dzemaili is a Swiss international that has given the Impact another goal scoring threat rather than Piatti or Oduro. Dzemaili's possession of the ball has phenomenal and this week had a stellar long distance goal against D.C. United. The Impact have made their best signing since signing Piatti and now only seem a few signings away from being up there with Toronto and Chicago (and by a few I mean many more).
FOR: Hector Villalba, Atlanta United FC
3x Team of the Week
Villalba has been a stellar offensive threat for Atlanta along with Almiron and Martinez. This week Villalba was able to score a brace against Columbus as he was the lone goal scorer in the 2-0 win. Villalba stepped up for Atlanta in what finally looked like a full strength offense for the new United FC. Villalba seemed to have thrived from the passing of Almiron and Asad.
FOR: Nemanja Nikolic, Chicago Fire
7x Team of the Week
The final starting player in this week's Team of the Week is my vote for Newcomer of the Year. Nikolic is a scoring machine and has continued to do so for the Fire. Nikolic was able to score two goals for the Fire in the 14th and 18th minutes. The first goal would be the only needed one but he continued his offensive game as he assisted on Michael de Leeuw's 84th minute goal. A great week from the Chicago forward once again lead them to victory.
Bench:
GK: Jesse Gonzalez, FC Dallas
3x Team of the Week
DEF: Maynor Figueroa, FC Dallas
2x Team of the Week
DEF: Jose Aja, Orlando City SC
1x Team of the Week
MID: Michael de Leeuw, Chicago Fire
1x Team of the Week
MID: Haris Medujanin, Philadelphia Union
2x Team of the Week
FOR: Kevin Doyle, Colorado Rapids
1x Team of the Week
FOR: Maxi Urruti, FC Dallas
5x Team of the Week
