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MLS Best XI Week 27: Western Conference shines as season winds down
Much as it has all season, the Western Conference showed its superiority in week 27, and earned eight of the 11 spots on the Best XI.
Sep 20, 2011 7:57:00 PM
By Nick Rosano
Otto Greule Jr
Goalkeeper
Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake: RSL has been grinding out the wins lately, and once again, it has Nick Rimando to thank in large part for the team's 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City. With Salt Lake on the back foot for much of the game, Rimando came up with a number of timely stops to keep a clean sheet against one of the East's most dangerous teams.
Defenders
Bryan Jordan, Los Angeles Galaxy: The Los Angeles utility man took a little while to settle in at right back during the Galaxy's 3-0 win over Vancouver on Saturday. Once he was comfortable though, he helped the Galaxy take the game by the scruff of its neck, keeping things tight on his own end and bursting forward to the tune of two assists.
Nat Borchers, Real Salt Lake: Along with Rimando's goalkeeping heroics, Borchers' tenacity and defensive abilities have helped keep Salt Lake in the top echelon of Western Conference teams despite some nervy weeks. On Saturday, he was once again a force in the back, keeping Kansas City's talented attack at bay and even coming up with the winning goal on a set piece.
Danny Califf, Philadelphia Union: Much like Borchers, Califf showed his ability as a defensive stalwart as the Union edged out the Crew to put themselves back atop the East. He was strong in the air and let very little past him, and even distributed out of the back to good effect.
Ashtone Morgan, Toronto FC: The TFC Academy product played an important role in Toronto's holding off the Rapids to keep its playoff hopes hanging by a thread. He chipped in an assist with a great cross on Danny Koeverman's opener and made a number of good defensive plays, including a clearance off the line in the 73rd minute that could well have saved the win for the Reds.
Midfielders
Mauro Rosales, Seattle Sounders FC: Though he was only credited for two of the assists, Rosales set up all three goals in Seattle's 3-0 win over D.C. United. The Argentine once again made his case for MVP credentials, and his absence over the coming weeks due to his late injury could further highlight his importance to the team.
Mike Magee, Los Angeles Galaxy: From goalkeeper to goalscoring midfielder, Magee has now done it all for the Galaxy this term. An unlikely protagonist in the Galaxy's win over Vancouver, Magee made two well-timed runs that resulted in a pair of goals, passed accurately, and did enough defensively to distinguish himself as one of the Galaxy's best on the night.
Diego Chara, Portland Timbers: The Colombian continues to impress for the Timbers, and another great showing against New England will show the management in the Rose City that they have something special on their hands. Chara not only picked up a goal in an efficient offensive display, he and Jack Jewsbury had the Revolution midfielder duo of Benny Feilhaber and Shalrie Joseph in their pockets all game long.
Alvaro Fernandez, Seattle Sounders FC: Two goals against D.C. United was no less than Fernandez deserved for his good runs and attacking endeavor on Saturday night. Those goals could give him the confidence he needs to help fill in for Mauro Rosales as Seattle prepares for the stretch run without the services of its talisman.
Forwards
Darlington Nagbe, Portland Timbers: Though he didn't quite put up the stats of a couple other forwards this week, Nagbe thoroughly deserves his place in the team after his best showing of the season in a 3-0 win over New England. The much-talked about forward headed in Portland's third goal, but equally important were his abilities to help his team keep possession, with his hold-up play and distribution.
Danny Koevermans, Toronto FC: The Dutchman's well-taken brace against Colorado was instrumental in giving the Reds a bit of life in playoff race, even if it is likely to be fleeting. His second goal especially showed exactly why Aron Winter brought him in – a glancing, diving header, perfectly suited for a center forward.
Formation (4-4-2):
Rimando
Jordan-Borchers-Califf-Morgan
Rosales-Magee-Chara-Fernandez
Nagbe-Koevermans
Bench: Frank Rost (New York Red Bulls), Nana Attakora (San Jose Earthquakes), Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Roger Torres (Philadelphia Union), Robbie Keane (Los Angeles Galaxy), Luke Rodgers (New York Red Bulls)
Coach
Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire: Down a man, the team's playmaker substituted and with Chivas USA having overcome a two-goal deficit to even things up at 2-2, any realistic chance of the FIre reaching the playoffs appeared to be over. However, with a double substitution in the 80th minute, Klopas was able to dramatically alter the momentum of the game by switching to a back three, and one of the substitutes, Diego Chaves, went on to set up Chicago's winner in a 3-2 victory.
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Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake: RSL has been grinding out the wins lately, and once again, it has Nick Rimando to thank in large part for the team's 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City. With Salt Lake on the back foot for much of the game, Rimando came up with a number of timely stops to keep a clean sheet against one of the East's most dangerous teams.
Defenders
Bryan Jordan, Los Angeles Galaxy: The Los Angeles utility man took a little while to settle in at right back during the Galaxy's 3-0 win over Vancouver on Saturday. Once he was comfortable though, he helped the Galaxy take the game by the scruff of its neck, keeping things tight on his own end and bursting forward to the tune of two assists.
Nat Borchers, Real Salt Lake: Along with Rimando's goalkeeping heroics, Borchers' tenacity and defensive abilities have helped keep Salt Lake in the top echelon of Western Conference teams despite some nervy weeks. On Saturday, he was once again a force in the back, keeping Kansas City's talented attack at bay and even coming up with the winning goal on a set piece.
Danny Califf, Philadelphia Union: Much like Borchers, Califf showed his ability as a defensive stalwart as the Union edged out the Crew to put themselves back atop the East. He was strong in the air and let very little past him, and even distributed out of the back to good effect.
Ashtone Morgan, Toronto FC: The TFC Academy product played an important role in Toronto's holding off the Rapids to keep its playoff hopes hanging by a thread. He chipped in an assist with a great cross on Danny Koeverman's opener and made a number of good defensive plays, including a clearance off the line in the 73rd minute that could well have saved the win for the Reds.
Midfielders
Mauro Rosales, Seattle Sounders FC: Though he was only credited for two of the assists, Rosales set up all three goals in Seattle's 3-0 win over D.C. United. The Argentine once again made his case for MVP credentials, and his absence over the coming weeks due to his late injury could further highlight his importance to the team.
Mike Magee, Los Angeles Galaxy: From goalkeeper to goalscoring midfielder, Magee has now done it all for the Galaxy this term. An unlikely protagonist in the Galaxy's win over Vancouver, Magee made two well-timed runs that resulted in a pair of goals, passed accurately, and did enough defensively to distinguish himself as one of the Galaxy's best on the night.
Diego Chara, Portland Timbers: The Colombian continues to impress for the Timbers, and another great showing against New England will show the management in the Rose City that they have something special on their hands. Chara not only picked up a goal in an efficient offensive display, he and Jack Jewsbury had the Revolution midfielder duo of Benny Feilhaber and Shalrie Joseph in their pockets all game long.
Alvaro Fernandez, Seattle Sounders FC: Two goals against D.C. United was no less than Fernandez deserved for his good runs and attacking endeavor on Saturday night. Those goals could give him the confidence he needs to help fill in for Mauro Rosales as Seattle prepares for the stretch run without the services of its talisman.
Forwards
Darlington Nagbe, Portland Timbers: Though he didn't quite put up the stats of a couple other forwards this week, Nagbe thoroughly deserves his place in the team after his best showing of the season in a 3-0 win over New England. The much-talked about forward headed in Portland's third goal, but equally important were his abilities to help his team keep possession, with his hold-up play and distribution.
Danny Koevermans, Toronto FC: The Dutchman's well-taken brace against Colorado was instrumental in giving the Reds a bit of life in playoff race, even if it is likely to be fleeting. His second goal especially showed exactly why Aron Winter brought him in – a glancing, diving header, perfectly suited for a center forward.
Formation (4-4-2):
Rimando
Jordan-Borchers-Califf-Morgan
Rosales-Magee-Chara-Fernandez
Nagbe-Koevermans
Bench: Frank Rost (New York Red Bulls), Nana Attakora (San Jose Earthquakes), Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Roger Torres (Philadelphia Union), Robbie Keane (Los Angeles Galaxy), Luke Rodgers (New York Red Bulls)
Coach
Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire: Down a man, the team's playmaker substituted and with Chivas USA having overcome a two-goal deficit to even things up at 2-2, any realistic chance of the FIre reaching the playoffs appeared to be over. However, with a double substitution in the 80th minute, Klopas was able to dramatically alter the momentum of the game by switching to a back three, and one of the substitutes, Diego Chaves, went on to set up Chicago's winner in a 3-2 victory.
Follow Goal.com on
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
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