The LA Galaxy are rolling and the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week confirms it.
Saturday's 3-0 blanking of the Vancouver Whitecaps led to four Galaxy standouts being named to the Week 27 best XI: Bryan Jordan, Robbie Keane and Mike Magee make their first appearance of the season in the TotW, while central defender Omar Gonzalez is on his sixth nomination of the season and second in a row.
LA's foursome is joined by Seattle's South American midfield pair, a rookie from Portland, a Designated Player from Toronto, a former EPL midfielder with New York and RSL's wily goalkeeper.
GK: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) – Sporting KC brought all their attacking artillery to Rio Tinto and an alert Rimando was forced to handle an array of balls in his box: crosses, close-range shots and long-distance bombs.
DF: Ashtone Morgan (Toronto FC) – The 20-year-old is emerging as a solid asset at left back for TFC. A playmaker on both sides of the ball against Colorado with an assist and a goal line clearance in the match.
DF: Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy) – Vancouver’s Eric Hassli was as quiet as he’s ever been in an MLS match against LA. Gonzalez, who was again on top his game in the heart of the Galaxy back line, was the major reason.
DF: Bryan Jordan (LA Galaxy) – Another standout appearance at right back for LA. Looked like another Frankie Hejduk in the making with his speed, stamina and attacking verve, especially in the second half.
MF: Mike Magee (LA Galaxy) – There’s no wonder Bruce Arena continues to stick with Ol’ Reliable Magee, who embodies the Galaxy’s style: calculating, conservative and efficient with a focus on doing the little things right. The two goals are gravy.
MF: Teemu Tainio (New York Red Bulls) – The Red Bulls’ defensive performance in Dallas was led by Tainio, who had a team-high six interceptions and eight recoveries. His bite in the middle of the field is critical for the kind of “cynical play” Hans Backe wants to use to climb back up the playoff standings.
MF: Álvaro Fernández (Seattle Sounders) – He consistently finds a way to be dangerous in the box from his winger position. The brace against D.C. United, which made him the leading goal scorer in league action for Seattle, highlighted the quality of his runs.
MF: Mauro Rosales (Seattle Sounders) – The Argentine is the Sounders’ attacking inspiration, involved in all three of their goals vs. DC. His injury robs Seattle of the most critical cog in their lineup.
FW: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) – He’s always so desperate to score and it comes across in his play. Registered a goal and assist vs. Vancouver but accompanied that with countless runs and a lot of hard work.
FW: Danny Koevermans (Toronto FC) – Like Keane, the Dutchman has a nose for goal, knowing exactly when and where to make his runs in the box. His manager expects even more from a striker scoring at a clip of nearly a goal per game thanks to his brace vs. Colorado.
FW: Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers) – The most impressive performance of the season by the No. 2 overall SuperDraft pick. Made a compelling case to manager John Spencer for a permanent spot at forward.
Manager: Hans Backe (New York Red Bulls) – With as many absences as New York had against Dallas, the excuses in case of a loss were ready-made. Instead, the Red Bulls rolled up their sleeves and showed heart and the ability to play a “dirty” style, as Backe himself called it. There’s a lot of fight still left in New York and they may have rediscovered it at Pizza Hut Park.
Honorable Mentions: Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Kalif Alhassan (Portland Timbers), Luiz Camargo (Houston Dynamo), Aurélien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Mamadou “Futty” Danso (Portland Timbers), Benny Feilhaber (New England Revolution), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Patrick Nyarko (Chicago Fire), Jámison Olave (Real Salt Lake), Troy Perkins (Portland Timbers), Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver Whitecaps), Roger Torres (Philadelphia Union)
