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Goal.com's MLS Best XI: Week 18
The Western Conference cleans up.
Aug 2, 2010 6:45:00 PM
By Nick Rosano
Goalkeeper
Jon Busch, San Jose Earthquakes: The 'Quakes may have lost 1-0, but had it not been for the goalkeeping heroics of Jon Busch, the scoreline could have been much worse. He made a number of solid saves, including one on his own defender as he kept the scoreline respectable in a match where the rest of the San Jose side was completely lifeless.
Defenders
Carlos Borja, Chivas USA: The young full back played an important role in both attack and defense and notched a deserved goal with an impeccable finish in just his second MLS start.
Jamison Olave, Real Salt Lake: Olave was once again a rock in the Real Salt Lake defense that shut out D.C. United at the weekend. With the attacking flair that Salt Lake exhibited throughout the match, Olave provided the security at the back.
Patrick Ianni, Seattle Sounders FC: He was at the heart of a Sounders defense that limited San Jose to just two shots on goal and caught the home side offside eight times. With this kind of display, it is no wonder that Seattle have conceded only two goals in their last six competitive matches.
Roger Espinoza, Kansas City Wizards: Espinoza played a solid game in helping the Wizards keep a clean sheet against visiting Toronto FC. His distribution was excellent and he was resolute in defense.
Midfielders
Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy: Landon Donovan's two penalty goals helped the Galaxy in their attempt to come back from three goals down, and although they fell just short, the brace takes Donovan's MLS goal total to 101 goals, becoming just the sixth player to surpass the century mark. Although he certainly earned his way onto the team of the week through his contributions on the field, his rare feat certainly helped his case.
Blair Gavin, Chivas USA: Gavin put in a nearly impeccable performance in the midfield as Chivas USA upset the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew. His passing and work rate were impressive and on top of that he capitalized on a mistake from Crew rookie Shaun Francis to notch what would eventually be the winner.
Will Johnson, Real Salt Lake: Even though he didn't manage to rack up any goals or assists in Salt Lake's impressive victory, Johnson was at the center of most of his team's attacking moves and came close to scoring with a well-taken volley.
Patrick Nyarko, Chicago Fire: There were many standout players for the Fire as they snapped the Galaxy's MLS home unbeaten streak, but perhaps none more so than Patrick Nyarko. He notched an assist on John's goal with a clever through ball and gave the Los Angeles defense something to think about all game long.
Forwards
Robbie Findley, Real Salt Lake: After struggling for much of the MLS season to make an impact, the U.S. international took his chance in the first XI with great aplomb, notching a goal and an assist. He looked assured in his his finish and also contributed well to Salt Lake's buildup play, setting him above the many worthy forwards in contention for this week's best XI.
Juan Pablo Angel, New York Red Bulls: There is a lot of talk about New York's two marquee signings, but Angel showed that he is not a player to be overlooked as he powered the New York Red Bulls to a 2-2 draw in Houston, capitalizing on service from his new teammate to notch two deserved goals and showing that he will not give up the spotlight easily.
Formation (4-4-2):
Bench: Kevin Hartman, FC Dallas; Chris Wingert, Real Salt Lake; Pablo Mastroeni, Colorado Rapids; Marco Pappa, Chicago Fire; Justin Braun, Chivas USA; Collins John, Chicago Fire
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Jon Busch, San Jose Earthquakes: The 'Quakes may have lost 1-0, but had it not been for the goalkeeping heroics of Jon Busch, the scoreline could have been much worse. He made a number of solid saves, including one on his own defender as he kept the scoreline respectable in a match where the rest of the San Jose side was completely lifeless.
Defenders
Carlos Borja, Chivas USA: The young full back played an important role in both attack and defense and notched a deserved goal with an impeccable finish in just his second MLS start.
Jamison Olave, Real Salt Lake: Olave was once again a rock in the Real Salt Lake defense that shut out D.C. United at the weekend. With the attacking flair that Salt Lake exhibited throughout the match, Olave provided the security at the back.
Patrick Ianni, Seattle Sounders FC: He was at the heart of a Sounders defense that limited San Jose to just two shots on goal and caught the home side offside eight times. With this kind of display, it is no wonder that Seattle have conceded only two goals in their last six competitive matches.
Roger Espinoza, Kansas City Wizards: Espinoza played a solid game in helping the Wizards keep a clean sheet against visiting Toronto FC. His distribution was excellent and he was resolute in defense.
Midfielders
Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy: Landon Donovan's two penalty goals helped the Galaxy in their attempt to come back from three goals down, and although they fell just short, the brace takes Donovan's MLS goal total to 101 goals, becoming just the sixth player to surpass the century mark. Although he certainly earned his way onto the team of the week through his contributions on the field, his rare feat certainly helped his case.
Blair Gavin, Chivas USA: Gavin put in a nearly impeccable performance in the midfield as Chivas USA upset the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew. His passing and work rate were impressive and on top of that he capitalized on a mistake from Crew rookie Shaun Francis to notch what would eventually be the winner.
Will Johnson, Real Salt Lake: Even though he didn't manage to rack up any goals or assists in Salt Lake's impressive victory, Johnson was at the center of most of his team's attacking moves and came close to scoring with a well-taken volley.
Patrick Nyarko, Chicago Fire: There were many standout players for the Fire as they snapped the Galaxy's MLS home unbeaten streak, but perhaps none more so than Patrick Nyarko. He notched an assist on John's goal with a clever through ball and gave the Los Angeles defense something to think about all game long.
Forwards
Robbie Findley, Real Salt Lake: After struggling for much of the MLS season to make an impact, the U.S. international took his chance in the first XI with great aplomb, notching a goal and an assist. He looked assured in his his finish and also contributed well to Salt Lake's buildup play, setting him above the many worthy forwards in contention for this week's best XI.
Juan Pablo Angel, New York Red Bulls: There is a lot of talk about New York's two marquee signings, but Angel showed that he is not a player to be overlooked as he powered the New York Red Bulls to a 2-2 draw in Houston, capitalizing on service from his new teammate to notch two deserved goals and showing that he will not give up the spotlight easily.
Formation (4-4-2):
Busch
Borja - Olave - Ianni - Espinoza
Donovan - Gavin - Johnson - Nyarko
Findley - Angel
Borja - Olave - Ianni - Espinoza
Donovan - Gavin - Johnson - Nyarko
Findley - Angel
Bench: Kevin Hartman, FC Dallas; Chris Wingert, Real Salt Lake; Pablo Mastroeni, Colorado Rapids; Marco Pappa, Chicago Fire; Justin Braun, Chivas USA; Collins John, Chicago Fire
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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