MLS Week 22 Team of the Week
GK: John McCarthy, Philadelphia Union
2x Team of the Week
With Andre Blake out for a few weeks the Union have had to rely on McCarthy in net. He has played extremely well and this week he was able to only allow one goal to the tough FC Dallas. McCarthy may be the future keeper for Philly if Blake is sold in the somewhat near future. Besides allowing only one goal, McCarthy was able to record nine saves in the win. A great week from the young keeper saved three points for the Union over a top team in the west.
DEF: Kofi Opare, D.C. United
1x Team of the Week
Kofi Opare had a phenomenal defensive week for D.C. United. D.C. needed a great week on defense going up against Seba Giovinco and Jozy Altidore. Opare did a great job in slowing most shots for the Toronto duo. Opare is a big body that deflected, blocked, and lead the defense. D.C. needs any win they can get if they have ANY hope in coming even close to the playoffs.
DEF: Alvas Powell, Portland Timbers
2x Team of the Week
Alvas Powell had maybe his best week of the 2017 season. The Jamaican right-back has played phenomenally since Jamaica's magical run in the Gold Cup. Powell and the Portland backline only allowed one goal to the struggling LA Galaxy. While playing strong defensively, Powell was able to score a goal and add to Portland's dominate win. There were many strong performances from defenders this week so it was tough to pick from this week.
DEF: Joevin Jones, Seattle Sounders
5x Team of the Week
The newly signed Darmstadt left-back is finishing up his final season strong. Joevin Jones and the Seattle Sounder backline shutout Minnesota United FC lead by Abu Danladi and Kevin Molino. Jones is just a stronger wingback that can defend most players in the league while getting up into the attack. Jones was able to assist Clint Dempsey on his 73rd minute goal and continue his passing dominance.
DEF: Patrick Doody, Chicago Fire
1x Team of the Week
Patrick Doody has spent his last two years of professional soccer on loan at Saint Louis FC in the USL. Doody took complete advantage of his MLS opportunity by being the MLS Aces Defender of the Week. Doody and the Fire defense only allowed one goal to the Revs. Finally, Doody racked up three assists in the win as he assisted on goals scored by Juninho, Michael de Leeuw, and Luis Solignac.
MID: Ilsinho, Philadelphia Union
2x Team of the Week
As it was a strong week for defenders, it wasn't such a strong week for midfielders. But, one of the stronger midfielder performances did come from Ilsinho. Ilsinho was able to have a factor on three of the Union's three goals against FC Dallas. First, Ilsinho assisted on CJ Sapong's 17th minute goal, followed by his goal in the 22nd minute. He finished his day by assisting on CJ Sapong's second goal in the 68th minute. One of the leaders for the Union did a fantastic job this week to keep their playoff hopes alive.
MID: Sacha Kljestan, New York Red Bulls
2x Team of the Week
Another midfielder that had a great week (but lost because New York is blue) is Sacha Kljestan. The Red Bulls prime play maker had a great week by assisting on both of Bradley Wright-Phillip's goals against NYCFC. The amazing moustache of NYRB did his job of making amazing passes and gave the Red Bulls every chance to win.
MID: Ignacio Piatti, Montreal Impact
5x Team of the Week
Ignacio Piatti finally made it back onto my list after a one goal performance against Orlando City. Piatti distributed well and made the most out of the plaay of Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Dzemaili, and Patrice Bernier. Piatti is the best player on this team and when he is on his best game then this team looks like the playoff team of last season. A great week from the Montreal leader gave them a win and a continued chance at the playoffs.
MID: Dax McCarty, Chicago Fire
2x Team of the Week
It's not every week that a #6 makes the team of the week list but Dax does it best. Dax didn't factor on the score sheet but he did keep the Revs offense off of the Fire backline. When a leader of the Fire is keeping his defense strong and facilitating on offense, he deserves a spot of the MLS Aces Team of the Week.
FOR: Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders
5x Team of the Week
Oh captain my captain! Captain America had himself a wonderful week as he lead the Sounder past Minnesota United FC. Dempsey assisted on the first goal of the game with Will Bruin's 9th minute goal. Dempsey then scored his first goal in the 18th minute followed by his second goal in the 73rd minute. A great week from the captain lead the Sounders to another win.
FOR: David Villa, New York City FC
7x Team of the Week
David Villa! David Villa! David Villa! I was able to attend the Hudson River Derby this week and the performance that David Villa was able to put on was amazing. Villa had his first ever MLS hat trick as he scored all three of NYCFC's goals in the 3-2 win over the Red Bulls. David Villa is this week's MLS Aces Player of the Week due to his amazing hat trick and key factor in his team's win.
Bench:
GK: Stefan Frei, Seattle Sounders
2x Team of the Week
-Win
-0 goals allowed
-4 saves
DEF: Matt Polster, Chicago Fire
3x Team of the Week
-One goal allowed
-One goal
-Win
DEF: Chad Marshall, Seattle Sounders
3x Team of the Week
-Zero goals allowed
-One assist
-Win
MID: Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers
6x Team of the Week
-Win
-One goal
-key passing
MID: Haris Medujanin, Philadelphia Union
3x Team of the Week
-Win
-One assist
-Key passing and defending
FOR: CJ Sapong, Philadelphia Union
4x Team of the Week
-Win
-Two goals
FOR: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
2x Team of the Week
-Two goals in loss to NYCFC
