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The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 23

The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 23

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Our Major League Soccer expert James Nalton explains his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday and picks out three more standout players from the latest round of action.

By James Nalton

The Top Two

9.7 FotMob rating: Mateusz Bogusz, Los Angeles FC

Having received my second vote in the Soccer Reporters ballot last week, Bogusz is top of the bill this time around.

He’s enjoying a remarkably productive run of form, with nine goals and four assists in his last nine games.

This was his first hat-trick of the season, having scored a brace on two occasions, and the goals gave LAFC a 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids.

The three strikes displayed a range of what looked like simple finishes, but they were all about good movement, being in the right places at the right times, and emphatic shooting.

LAFC have taken their spot at the top of the Western Conference, and it looks like they will not relinquish it easily, especially with Bogusz now providing a similar threat to that of star man Denis Bouanga. 

9.6 FotMob rating: Brian White, Vancouver Whitecaps

Normally one of the standout goal-poachers in the league, White had failed to find the net in nine games, but made up for the drought with three in a 4-3 win versus St. Louis City.

The first had some help from a deflection, but the second was a moment of genius as he flicked the ball with his heel, almost a standing scorpion kick, over St. Louis goalkeeper Benjamin Lundt.

His hat-trick goal was typical of the type of goal he is used to scoring, heading Ryan Raposo’s cross into the far corner.

White’s movement in the box also helped create the space for Fafà Picault to score what would turn out to be the winning goal.

Following his mini goal drought, normal business was resumed for the Whitecaps striker.

Three more standout performers

9.3 FotMob rating: Diego Rossi, Columbus Crew

First, a nod to Cucho Hernández, a regular in our list of standout MLS players who was once again a star of the show for Columbus Crew as they defeated New England 5-1 in Massachusetts.

He notched a goal and two assists in this game, but he was joined on that front by attacking midfiedler Diego Rossi.

Rossi was the beneficiary of Cucho’s second assist, finishing what was an outstanding Crew team goal.

He then sent in the corner kick that was headed in by Rudy Camacho and then helped round off the scoring, driving forward down the left before crossing for Steven Moreira to score the fifth and final goal.

Rossi finished the game with 100% pass accuracy, having created five chances.

9.1 FotMob rating: Evander, Portland Timbers

Portland’s leaky defence and exciting attack has made them one of the most entertaining teams to watch in MLS this season.

Phil Neville’s team are currently on a good run of form having lost just once in their last nine games, winning six, and have also improved defensively.

Evander is one of those exciting attackers who has helped propel Portland to fifth in the Western Conference, and he’s just one assist and one goal off double figures in both columns.

Minnesota United were 2-0 up in this game but Evander’s goal from the spot got the Timbers back in it.

He was credited with the assist for Santiago Moreno’s equaliser in the second half which was the game’s standout goal, before Jonathan Rodríguez nicked the win for Portland late on, aptly assisted by Darion Asprilla in his final game for the club.

Evander created seven chances in total throughout this game, which he finished having made 110 touches, showing how instrumental he was in the comeback victory.

9.0 FotMob rating: Tayvon Gray, New York City

For a defender considered one who can play both centre-back and right back, the ability to contribute in attack down the flank from the full back position can often be questioned.

Players of this ilk are usually more naturally defensive — think someone like Joe Gomez at right-back for Liverpool or Nathan Aké when he plays left-back for Man City — but Gray has shown signs he’s morphing into a regular attacking rull-back.

There were no more obvious signs of this than his display in New York City’s 4-2 win against Orlando City.

His two assists were carefully considered passes inside to teammates from attacking areas. Not just hopeful, lofted crosses into the box, but passes picked out with purpose.

One assist, for Hannes Wolf, involved some persistent play at the byline before turning the ball inside at the near post, and the other assists, for Agustín Ojeda, was a pinpoint ball to the far post.

He created five chances in total, indicating he is gradually becoming a creative full-back as well as a defensive one, and a very useful player for New York City.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 23

Our Major League Soccer expert James Nalton explains his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday and picks out three more standout players from the latest round of action.

By James Nalton

The Top Two

9.7 FotMob rating: Mateusz Bogusz, Los Angeles FC

Having received my second vote in the Soccer Reporters ballot last week, Bogusz is top of the bill this time around.

He’s enjoying a remarkably productive run of form, with nine goals and four assists in his last nine games.

This was his first hat-trick of the season, having scored a brace on two occasions, and the goals gave LAFC a 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids.

The three strikes displayed a range of what looked like simple finishes, but they were all about good movement, being in the right places at the right times, and emphatic shooting.

LAFC have taken their spot at the top of the Western Conference, and it looks like they will not relinquish it easily, especially with Bogusz now providing a similar threat to that of star man Denis Bouanga. 

9.6 FotMob rating: Brian White, Vancouver Whitecaps

Normally one of the standout goal-poachers in the league, White had failed to find the net in nine games, but made up for the drought with three in a 4-3 win versus St. Louis City.

The first had some help from a deflection, but the second was a moment of genius as he flicked the ball with his heel, almost a standing scorpion kick, over St. Louis goalkeeper Benjamin Lundt.

His hat-trick goal was typical of the type of goal he is used to scoring, heading Ryan Raposo’s cross into the far corner.

White’s movement in the box also helped create the space for Fafà Picault to score what would turn out to be the winning goal.

Following his mini goal drought, normal business was resumed for the Whitecaps striker.

Three more standout performers

9.3 FotMob rating: Diego Rossi, Columbus Crew

First, a nod to Cucho Hernández, a regular in our list of standout MLS players who was once again a star of the show for Columbus Crew as they defeated New England 5-1 in Massachusetts.

He notched a goal and two assists in this game, but he was joined on that front by attacking midfiedler Diego Rossi.

Rossi was the beneficiary of Cucho’s second assist, finishing what was an outstanding Crew team goal.

He then sent in the corner kick that was headed in by Rudy Camacho and then helped round off the scoring, driving forward down the left before crossing for Steven Moreira to score the fifth and final goal.

Rossi finished the game with 100% pass accuracy, having created five chances.

9.1 FotMob rating: Evander, Portland Timbers

Portland’s leaky defence and exciting attack has made them one of the most entertaining teams to watch in MLS this season.

Phil Neville’s team are currently on a good run of form having lost just once in their last nine games, winning six, and have also improved defensively.

Evander is one of those exciting attackers who has helped propel Portland to fifth in the Western Conference, and he’s just one assist and one goal off double figures in both columns.

Minnesota United were 2-0 up in this game but Evander’s goal from the spot got the Timbers back in it.

He was credited with the assist for Santiago Moreno’s equaliser in the second half which was the game’s standout goal, before Jonathan Rodríguez nicked the win for Portland late on, aptly assisted by Darion Asprilla in his final game for the club.

Evander created seven chances in total throughout this game, which he finished having made 110 touches, showing how instrumental he was in the comeback victory.

9.0 FotMob rating: Tayvon Gray, New York City

For a defender considered one who can play both centre-back and right back, the ability to contribute in attack down the flank from the full back position can often be questioned.

Players of this ilk are usually more naturally defensive — think someone like Joe Gomez at right-back for Liverpool or Nathan Aké when he plays left-back for Man City — but Gray has shown signs he’s morphing into a regular attacking rull-back.

There were no more obvious signs of this than his display in New York City’s 4-2 win against Orlando City.

His two assists were carefully considered passes inside to teammates from attacking areas. Not just hopeful, lofted crosses into the box, but passes picked out with purpose.

One assist, for Hannes Wolf, involved some persistent play at the byline before turning the ball inside at the near post, and the other assists, for Agustín Ojeda, was a pinpoint ball to the far post.

He created five chances in total, indicating he is gradually becoming a creative full-back as well as a defensive one, and a very useful player for New York City.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.