Forwards
Dom Dwyer, Sporting Kansas City – Despite the team’s worst week of the season, Sporting received a handful of strong individual performances. Benny Feilhaber was good in midfield, and Oriol Rosell was solid on Wednesday (before missing Saturday’s loss). Dwyer’s two goals, however, stood out. His late blast on Wednesday gave Zac MacMath no chance to stop his equalizer, while Dwyer’s header in Chicago briefly gave a 10-man Sporting hope. And with the hard-working Dwyer, it always goes without saying: Scoring was not his only contribution.
We could be wrong about: Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC), Patrick Mullins (New England Revolution), Obafemi Martin (Seattle Sounders)
Midfielders
Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution (pictured) – Another goal and an assist has put Fagundez’s first two, silent months behind him. Though the numbers are nice, his contributions in other facets are also creating chances, often jumping in to be the extra man in the attacks New England’s using to pick apart its opposition.
Lee Nguyen, New England Revolution – Another stand out day for Nguyen produced his second open play goal of the season (fifth overall). Just like Fagundez, his read of the game is proving decisive in these big Revolution results, but whereas Fagundez is choosing when and where to create New England’s advantages, Nguyen’s choices are often when to push and when to possess, when to run and when to wait for a pass. His goal was a good example of what he is doing both with and without the ball.
Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake – Continuing to make his case as a serious MVP candidate, Morales added a goal and an assist to his typical, controlling play at the tip of RSL’s midfield. His five assists are second only to Obafemi Martins’ six at the top of MLS’s rankings.
Federico Higuain, Columbus Crew – The MLS Player of the Week played most of his Saturday against 10 men, an advantage that usually disqualifies players from this team. Like Javier Morales in Houston, however, Higuain’s lower level of difficulty couldn’t keep him out of this team. The Crew creator scored twice in his team’s draw in Portland.
Will Johnson, Portland Timbers – The numbers weren’t that impressive, given his goal was helped by a deflection, but Johnson was key to the Timbers’ salvaging a result. The Canadian international isn’t quite back to his 2013 self, but with performances like Saturday’s, he’s left a slow start to 2014 behind him.
We could be wrong about: Daigo Kobayashi (New England Revolution), Fabian Castillo (FC Dallas), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City)
Defense
Chris Tierney, New England Revolution – The left back’s goal and assist on set pieces easily claimed this spot, but they also overshadowed his contributions from open play. Two good defensive plays in the first half along with an additional pair of offerings going forward rounding out Tierney’s performance. His only issue: His part in a late consolation goal.
David Horst, Houston Dynamo – His save on A.J. DeLaGarza’s would be opener made the highlight reels, but a series decisive reads and strong clearances gave Horst an obligatory return to our Best XI.
Steven Caldwell, Toronto FC – Partner Nick Hagglund racked up the numbers, but Caldwell’s contributions came when Toronto needed them most. Though the Red Bulls attack did their part to make TFC’s day as easy as possible, Caldwell’s firm hand (or, head) often provided the rebuke.
Jack Jewsbury, Portland Timbers – Like Johnson, Jewsbury was another veteran who gave an inspired performance for the 10-man Timbers, switching from left to right back early while adding an assist on one of Portland’s two tying goals.
We could be wrong about: Chris Korb (D.C. United), Kofi Opare (LA Galaxy), Nick Hagglund (Toronto FC)
Goalkeeper
Jon Busch, San Jose Earthquakes – Like Horst and Morales, Busch is making a return appearance, albeit in a loss. Big saves on Saturday in Seattle kept the score respectable, while Obafemi Martins’ early goal was unstoppable. In truth, though, three of four other keepers could have just as easily taken this honor.
We could be wrong about: Jeff Attinella (Real Salt Lake)
