MLS Week 25 Team of the Week
GK: Bill Hamid, D.C. United
5x MLS Aces Team of the Week
MY FAVORITE KEEPER IN MLS IS BACK! In D.C.'s two games against Atlanta and New England, Hamid allowed zero goals to both teams racking up two wins and six points. Hamid also made a total of six saves in both games and looked extremely impressive in net. The athletic keeper should continue to impress as he should have shouts at future MLS games and USMNT games.
DEF: Jonathan Mensah, Columbus Crew SC
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
The Ghanaian international hasn't greatly impressed in his new Designated Player role but this week he was easily the best defender in MLS. Mensah and the Crew defense only allowed one goal in two games against the Galaxy and FC Dallas. Mensah also added to the offense this week as Mensah added a goal in the Crew's game against FC Dallas. The Crew will need great play from Mensah on defense as they are pushing towards a playoff run.
DEF: Vytas, Portland Timbers
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Vytas is a very underrated full-back in MLS. Vytas started at left-back against the Rapids and the Sounders. The team ended up with a total of four points and two goals allowed in two games. Vytas played so well slowing the great play of the Sounders offense and the not so strong Rapids. Finally, in two games this week he was able to rack up two assists to help the Timbers get back up to second place in the West.
DEF: Kofi Opare, D.C. United
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Kofi Opare played out of his mind as D.C. United won two games this week 1-0 against Atlanta and New England. Opare was the best defender on the field for D.C. in both games as he didn't allow the likes of Josef Martinez, Miguel Almiron, Kei Kamara, and Juan Agudelo muster up any offensive games at all. Opare added his own offense as he assisted on Luciano Acosta's game winning goal against New England.
DEF: Jerome Thiesson, Minnesota United FC
1x MLS Aces Team of the Week
In one game this week against the strong Chicago Fire, Thiesson and the Loons defense only allowed one goal to Nemanja Nikolic, David Accam, and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Thiesson has been one of the Loons better defenders all season long and once again showed that when he needed to. Thiesson also assisted on a 45th minute goal scored by Abu Danladi which would eventually be the game winner. His versatility to play both full-back positions is very useful.
MID: Victor Vazquez, Toronto FC
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
One of the best midfielders in MLS, Vazquez does things that no other does. Vazquez is Inesta-like in MLS games. He allows other midfielders and forwards to open up and do what they are responsible for. This week, Vazquez was able to rack up three assists in two games against Philly and Montreal. Vazquez first assisted on a Nicolas Hasler goal in the 30th minute and then a Jozy Altidore goal in the 57th minute against the Union. Against Montreal, Vazquez was able to assist on another Jozy Altidore goal in the 52nd minute.
MID: Albert Rusnak, Real Salt Lake
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Albert Rusnak has figured out this whole MLS thing pretty quickly. The young Slovakian midfielder had one hell of a week as he and RSL beat San Jose 4-0 and beat Colorado 4-1. Rusnak had a huge impact offensively in both games. Against San Jose, Rusnak first assisted on Luis Silva's 29th minute goal and then Jefferson Savarino's 68th minute goal. Rusnak finished his game against San Jose with a goal in the 80th minute. Following up a fantastic game from Rusnak he went out and dominated Colorado as well. Rusnak was in the middle of the RSL attack and racked up another assist on Joao Plata's 41st minute goal.
MID: Brooks Lennon, Real Salt Lake
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Rusnak's midfield teammate also made the team of the week after two fantastic games. Lennon was able to assist on Albert Rusnak's goal against San Jose. Lennon looked very impressive and makes me excited for him to play for the U.S. men's national team. Lennon then had a much better game against Colorado as he assisted on Luis Silva's extra time goal and then scored his own in extra time as well. Lennon is a great talent and it is kinda sad that he is only on a loan deal in MLS.
MID: Federico Higuain, Columbus Crew SC
4x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Higuain is back in the team of the week list as he has been gone for a while. The Crew had two games this week against Los Angeles and FC Dallas, both being wins for the club. Higuain didn't factor in on the score sheet in the LA game but his impact was felt as everyone around him was playing through him. In the game against FC Dallas, Higuain was able to assist on both of his teams goals in the 50th and 71st minutes. A big week from Federico gave the Crew six huge points in their push for the playoffs.
FOR: Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
5x MLS Aces Team of the Week
Seba is back!!! TFC scored six goals this week, three against Philly and three against Montreal. Of those six goals in week 25 Giovinco was able to score three of them. Giovinco started the scoring against Philly as he put away a 10th minute goal. Then against Montreal, the atomic ant scored two and was huge in their win during rivalry week.
FOR: Erick Torres, Houston Dynamo
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
When Cubo is hot damn is he en fuego. The Dynamo only had one game this week and had a MAJOR comeback against FC Dallas lead by Cubo. The Dynamo were down 3-1 in the 70th minute and then Cubo turned things on. He scored a goal in the 71st minute and then another in the 86th minute to come up with a tie and get away with a point in this game. Finally, Cubo was able to assist on the team's first goal of the game.
Bench:
GK: David Ousted, Vancouver Whitecaps
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-1 goal allowed
-7 saves
-Tie
DEF: Chad Marshall, Seattle Sounders
5x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-2 games
-1 goal allowed
DEF: Alexander Callens, New York City FC
3x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-1 goal allowed
-Very good defense
MID: Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers
8x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-2 games
-2 goals
MID: Roland Alberg, Philadelphia Union
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-1 goal
-1 assist
FOR: Luis Silva, Real Salt Lake
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-2 games
-3 goals
FOR: Abu Danladi, Minnesota United FC
2x MLS Aces Team of the Week
-1 game
-2 goals
