Tuesday, April 21, 2009

MLS Team Of The Week: Round 5

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 cAlfredo 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.
OnstadBornstein - Goldthwaite - PachecoKljestan - Wolff - Olsen - Shalrie - DaviesMcbride - Kandjilean sheet against potent attackers.

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