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SBI MLS Player of the Week & Best XI (Week 1)

JavierMorales (ISIphotos.com)

Photo by ISIphotos.com

In a weekend with plenty of standout performances, there was none better than that of Javier Morales, who scored a pair of stunning goals and set up a third in Real Salt Lake's season-opening 3-0 win vs. San Jose.

Morales was the easy choice for MLS Player of the Week, and he leads this week's SBI MLS Best XI for Week One.

Joining him on the squad are, among others, former MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Colorado striker Omar Cummings and Kansas City newcomer Ryan Smith.

Here is this week's SBI MLS Best XI:


SBI MLS Best XI (Week One)

———————Omar Cummings———————————

—————————Guillermo Barros Schelotto————–

Ryan Smith————Javier Morales————–Steve Zakuani

————-Joel Lindpere———-Osvaldo Alonso—————

——–Wilman Conde—-Tim Ream——Marvell Wynne——–

————————–Bouna Coundoul—————————

HONORABLE MENTION– Nick Rimando, Omar Gonzalez, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Mike Petke,  Mike Chabala, Davy Arnaud, Patrick Nyarko, Edson Buddle

Some thoughts on our picks:

Marvell Wynne may never play centerback as well as he did last Friday, but there's no denying he was a key force in Colorado's shutout. Tim Ream was also a key figure in a shutout, while Wilman Conde made more saves than Chicago goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra to help keep the Fire in its match vs. New York.

In midfield, Morales was the star of the week, but Lindpere, Smith, Alonso and Zakuani were all instrumental in their team's victories. Lindpere ran New York's midfield and his tireless work-rate coupled with his opportunitistic game-winning goal made the difference vs. Chicago.

Up top, Omar Cummings was easily Colorado's biggest attacking threat, and his game-winning goal was beautiful. Schelotto was his usual masterful self, scoring one and adding an assist in Columbus' 2-0 win vs. TFC.

In goal, Coundoul had his shaky moments vs. Chicago, but he made key plays when he had to in a weekend where no MLS goalkeeper had an unforgettable performance (though Nick Rimando did play well in RSL's romp).

——————-

What do you think of this week's Best XI? Which player deserved to be on the squad that didn't make it? Which selection do you feel didn't deserve it?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I’m responding to the SBI comment inserted here . . . there were a number of good GK performances this week (Hesmer and Rimando off the top of my head). Condoul looked as shaky as Dykstra.

    Reply
  2. Wow, I had to hit the refresh button to make sure my browser hadn’t made a mistake when I saw Condoul’s name. He was bailed out by good luck (on the McBride’s bicycle kick) and poor finishing by the Fire.

    Reply
  3. We need the MLS worst XI. Nick Garcia would be top of that list for sure. I hope that is the last opportunity Preki gives him. Kicked the ball of the head of his injured keeper which bounced to Schelotto who scored on an empty net (among other terrible mistakes).

    Reply

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