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MLS Week 6: The Best XI, Worst XI and Team of the Week

Clint Mathis 1 (ISIphotos.com) 

                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

One thing you couldn't call MLS Week Six is boring. You had stunning comebacks, unforgettable goals and one record-setting display of attacking soccer.

You also had the 2009 MLS rookie class stealing the show this week with a handful of top-notch performances. You also had some old-timers, like Clint Mathis and Zach Thornton, showing that they can still deliver.

Yes, there was plenty of disappointment as well. From the Red Bulls late collapse to Columbus' second-half collapse, there were some games that left fans banging their heads against walls, but overall, the week was an entertaining one in MLS.

Here is a rundown of what we thought were the Best XI and Worst XI plays/moments/performances of Week Six, as well as the SBI Team of the Week:

MLS Week Six Best XI

Clint Mathis' beautiful left-footed volley.

Andy Williams' stunning free kick over a helpless Brad Knighton.

Gonzalo Segares' equalizer, with assists from Chris Rolfe and Tim Ward.

Kasey Keller's clutch save to help him remain unscored upon in MLS.

Rookie goalkeeper Stefan Frei recording a pair of shutouts in one week.

Steve Zakuani putting on an MLS rookie of the year-caliber performance.

Zach Thorton's full-stretch save to deny Dax McCarty.

Danny Dichio having a hand in both game-winning goals for TFC this week.

D.C. United rookies Rodney Wallace and Chris Pontius both scoring in win vs. Red Bulls.

D.C. fans making the trip to Giants Stadium and making their voices heard.

Another sell-out crowd in Seattle.

MLS Week Six Worst XI

New England's second-half meltdown vs. Real Salt Lake.

Jon Busch's blunder to set up Alejandro Moreno's goal.

Jon Conway and Alfredo Pacheco failing to deal with a ball that led to a DC game-winner.

Pacheco falling asleeping and letting Luciano Emilio slot home the equalizer.

Ugo Ihemelu gets disposessed by Edson Buddle, then gets beaten by Landon Donovan in the same sequence.

Dario Sala's decision to handle a ball outside the penalty area, earning a red card in the process.

San Jose's awful defending on both Seattle goals.

Gino Padula's highly-questionable and match-changing red card, issued by referee Jair Marrufo

Carlos Johnson giving up a penalty just two minutes into the Red Bulls' loss to KC (though I still say the red card was undeserved).

Kansas City failing yet again to dominate with a man advantage.

The paltry crowd at Giants Stadium for Sunday's match.

SBI MLS Team of the Week (Week 6)

Guillermo B. Schelotto——Danny Dichio———–Chris Pontius

——————————Javier Morales—————————

Steve Zakuani——————————————–Clint Mathis

——————————Kyle Beckerman————————–

Gonzalo Segares———–Adrian Serioux——–Jhon K. Hurtado

———————————Stefan Frei—————————-

Honorable Mentions: Zach Thornton, Kasey Keller, Chad Marshall, Tyrone Marshall, Jamison Olave, Tim Ward, Rodney Wallace, Carl Robinson, Brad Evans, Jorge Rojas, Santino Quaranta, Landon Donovan, Juan Pablo Angel, Alejandro Moreno

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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?

Comments

  1. Lol. Ya gotta love delusional Fire fans. The Crew controlled the entire game until the ref. personally tried to screw them. Both the ref and blanco should be suspended from the league for at least 10 games.

    Reply
  2. I was at the sounders game!!!

    *Hurtado* was awesome. He’s a beast. No one got by him at all. He has a menacing presence in the back – the only way SJ got to attack was to completely avoid Hurtado. i’m a huge fan of his, and have been since day 1. I’m glad he finally made the Best XI since he’s been honorable mention at least 2x already.

    The pace of the game was quick, one-two touches all day. *freddy L* was all over the place, at the heart of several plays.

    i vote Sounders fans as the best in the nation!

    Reply
  3. Thanks Ives. I was at the KC/NY game and unless you were there or saw the pictures posted on some websites it’s clear the Red on Johnson was wrong. Gomez’s 1st ouch was way long and Pacheco actually closed on the ball. It needs to be a clear goal scoring opportunity and in this case it wasn’t. I’m a KC fan and was sitting behind the goal; when Gomez gave the ball it’s first touch I was cursing at him for letting it go far, and then Johnson helped us out with the clumsy slide.

    I don’t blame people saying it’s deserved because the way the ESPN video framed it looks deserved.

    Reply

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