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MLS Week 5: The Best XI, Worst XI and Team of the Week

Pat Onstad (ISIphotos.com) 

                                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

Call Week Five of the MLS season the week of the goalkeepers because several net-minders delivered outstanding performances for their clubs

From Pat Onstad making a clutch penalty kick save, to Zach Thornton delivering yet another quality outing, to Jon Conway returning from suspension to post a shutout for New York, goalkeepers as a group enjoyed a great week.

It was also a week that saw three winless teams put on strong performances to record victories. The Houston Dynamo looked like the Houston of old, riding a tough defense and the stellar goalkeeping of Onstad, while the Red Bulls showed glimpses of the team that reached last year's MLS Cup final. FC Dallas also escaped the win-less rankings, riding a potent attack and a timely handball call against Toronto late to record a sorely-needed victory.

Here are the Best XI and World XI moments, performances and scenes from Week Five, along with the SBI MLS Team of the Week:

Week Five Best XI

Ben Olsen's last-minute equalizer vs. New England.

Pat Onstad's penalty kick save.

Zach Thornton's handful of stellar reaction saves.

Josh Wolff showing flashes of his old self with a brace.

Kevin Hartman's second-half save-fest.

Juan Pablo Angel scoring the first of what should be many goals this year.

Kevin Goldthwaite's acrobatic goal-line clearance. (Yes, I forgot to include this originally, but it's a must)

Kenny Cooper's long-range smash into the bottom corner.

Chukwidi Chijindu becoming the latest Chivas USA newcomer to score in the season's first month.

Jonathan Bornstein looking like a player ready to challenge for the USMNT left back job.

 Bryan Jordan's gutsy equalizer for the Galaxy.

MLS Week Five Worst XI

The low attendances at Toyota Park, Pizza Hut Park and Giants Stadium.

New England's defense giving up an equalizer on a last-minute set-piece.

Wells Thompson learning the hard way that you don't rile up veterans like Ben Olsen

The questionable red card given to Jeremy Hall.

San Jose's offense failing to score multiple goals against LA's suspect defense.

Chicago blowing a two-goal lead

Fredy Montero showing flashes, but not looking nearly as sharp as he did the first two weeks.

Toronto FC's latestdisappointing performance to go winless in four.

Colorado's offenseonce again struggling to find anybody but Conor Casey to find quality scoring chances.

Real Salt Lakeresting top defender Jamison Olave against struggling Red Bulls and losing.

FC Dallas and Toronto FC playing one of the ugliest five-goal games you'll ever see.
 

SBI MLS Team of the Week (Week 5)

———-Kenny Cooper—–Brian McBride—-Mac Kandji————

——————————Shalrie Joseph—————————–

Josh Wolff——————————————-Cuauhtemoc Blanco

———————————Ben Olsen———————————

Jonathan Bornstein——–Kevin Goldthwaite———Alfredo Pacheco

———————————–Pat Onstad—————————-

Honorable Mentions: Kevin Hartman, Zach Thornton, Jon Conway, Drew Moor, Geoff Cameron, Chris Leitch, Amado Guevara, Ricardo Clark, Brian Ching.

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What do you think of this week's selections? What player or play or performance is missing from the lists? Who should have made Team of the Week that didn't? Who's inclusion were you happy to see?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. CMcAfee,
    I’ll reply sarcastically whenever I want to, thank you very much. It’s pretty dumb to say that if part of someone’s body – even the foot he kicks with – is in the net, the entire ball must have crossed the line. If you’re having trouble envisioning this, I’d be glad to show you how it works. In the meantime, you’re welcome to show me the replay that provides definitive evidence that the officials made the wrong call. My initial reaction was also that it crossed the line, but I’ve not yet seen a replay from a camera on the endline. Nor was there any other player remotely in position to tell whether or not it crossed the line.

    Reply
  2. It seems to me that nobody is capable of spelling “definitely” on this post. It is definitely not spelled “definetly”, and also definitely not spelled “definately”. I “definutley” hope I don’t see that word again. Wait, how do you spell that word?

    Reply
  3. Zacalie, you hit it right on the head. RSL did not deserve points, regardless of the “goal”.

    MetroStone, watch the correct replay before you decide to comment. The ref was a good 8′ off the endline when Goldy hits the ball. In fact, Dunseth, the commentator of the broadcast, comments on the fact that the ref cannot make a call because he is well out of position. However, you are correct that Goldy is the only RB near the endline, but it very well could have been Goldy admitting that it was really a goal (which would account for the lack of a name given). Or maybe the writer made it up, but why would he bother?

    Reply

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