|
|
MLS Team Of The Week: Round 5
Three players hit a brace and three goalkeepers kept clean sheets as MLS teams continued to battle it out for the three points on matchday five.
Apr 20, 2009 12:00:42 AM
Goalkeeper:
Pat Onstad (Houston Dynamo): Despite being 41 and getting kicked in the face by Omar Cummings, Onstad saved a penalty on the way to a magnificent clean sheet over the Colorado Rapids to earn his side its first win of the season.
Defense:
Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA): Forced an own goal for Chivas USA's opener against Seattle Sounders FC. More performances like that and Bob Bradley will have to stop tinkering around with Health Pearce and DaMarcus Beasley on the national team.
Kevin Goldthwaite (New York Red Bulls): So often the joke of the New York backline, no Real Salt Lake fans were laughing as he helped his side keep a clean sheet against potent attackers.
Alfredo Pacheco (New York Red Bulls): Quite a lively debut. His distribution from the back promises to transform how New York play.
Midfield:
Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo): It has been Davies rather than Stuart Holden who has stepped up in the wake of Dwayne De Rosario's departure. A game-winning assist was the result of one of many dangerous crosses.
Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution): Steve Nicol is counting on Joseph to increase his offensive production with a series of attackers out injured, and the midfielder did just that against D.C. United, scoring the opener.
Ben Olsen (D.C. United): United only got a point because of Olsen's tenacious display, willingness to get carded to inspire teammates, and, oh yeah, he scored the equalizer in injury time.
Josh Wolff (Kansas City Wizards): Pushed further up the pitch as Kansas chased the game, Wolff rolled back the years to score a poacher's brace and earn a point away against the Chicago Fire.
Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA): As his hair grows out, his performances improve. In an open midfield against the Sounders, Kljestan dominated, and played the telling through ball in the buildup to the first goal.
Attack:
Brian McBride (Chicago Fire): He's still got it. Two sublime finishes, one a long range one-time half-volley and the other a huge leap to head home a Cuauhtemoc Blanco free kick, rewarded Chicago with a two goal lead for a good early display.
Macoumba Kandji (New York Red Bulls): The Red Bull attack has been misfiring all season, but Kandji has continued to improve. His pace and power on the ball unnerve defenses, and against RSL he finally added a goal to this season's good displays.
Bench:
Zach Thornton (Chivas USA), Rodney Wallace (D.C. United), Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Bryan Jordan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas)
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
Pat Onstad (Houston Dynamo): Despite being 41 and getting kicked in the face by Omar Cummings, Onstad saved a penalty on the way to a magnificent clean sheet over the Colorado Rapids to earn his side its first win of the season.
Defense:
Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA): Forced an own goal for Chivas USA's opener against Seattle Sounders FC. More performances like that and Bob Bradley will have to stop tinkering around with Health Pearce and DaMarcus Beasley on the national team.
Kevin Goldthwaite (New York Red Bulls): So often the joke of the New York backline, no Real Salt Lake fans were laughing as he helped his side keep a clean sheet against potent attackers.
Alfredo Pacheco (New York Red Bulls): Quite a lively debut. His distribution from the back promises to transform how New York play.
Midfield:
Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo): It has been Davies rather than Stuart Holden who has stepped up in the wake of Dwayne De Rosario's departure. A game-winning assist was the result of one of many dangerous crosses.
Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution): Steve Nicol is counting on Joseph to increase his offensive production with a series of attackers out injured, and the midfielder did just that against D.C. United, scoring the opener.
Ben Olsen (D.C. United): United only got a point because of Olsen's tenacious display, willingness to get carded to inspire teammates, and, oh yeah, he scored the equalizer in injury time.
Josh Wolff (Kansas City Wizards): Pushed further up the pitch as Kansas chased the game, Wolff rolled back the years to score a poacher's brace and earn a point away against the Chicago Fire.
Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA): As his hair grows out, his performances improve. In an open midfield against the Sounders, Kljestan dominated, and played the telling through ball in the buildup to the first goal.
Attack:
Brian McBride (Chicago Fire): He's still got it. Two sublime finishes, one a long range one-time half-volley and the other a huge leap to head home a Cuauhtemoc Blanco free kick, rewarded Chicago with a two goal lead for a good early display.
Macoumba Kandji (New York Red Bulls): The Red Bull attack has been misfiring all season, but Kandji has continued to improve. His pace and power on the ball unnerve defenses, and against RSL he finally added a goal to this season's good displays.
Onstad
Bornstein - Goldthwaite - Pacheco
Kljestan - Wolff - Olsen - Shalrie - Davies
Mcbride - Kandji
Bornstein - Goldthwaite - Pacheco
Kljestan - Wolff - Olsen - Shalrie - Davies
Mcbride - Kandji
Bench:
Zach Thornton (Chivas USA), Rodney Wallace (D.C. United), Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Bryan Jordan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas)
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.