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Best of MLS Week 3: Larin, Timbers and more

We’re down to five undefeated teams in Major League Soccer after Week 3.

The Portland Timbers leads the pack after picking up the club’s third win of the season on Saturday over previously-perfect Houston Dynamo. FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City picked up wins at home to also remain without a loss out West. Over in the Eastern Conference, Orlando City’s second win in two games kept the Lions perfect, while Toronto FC’s first win of 2017 against Vancouver kept them without a defeat after two draws.

Three of the five clubs with unblemished marks after the first three weekends of March earned Week 3 honors from the SBI staff.

Here’s who our staff voted on as the best from Week 3.

Player of the Week

Cyle Larin bagged his second and third goals of the season in Orlando City’s 2-1 win over the Union on Saturday night. The Lions threatened the Union back four on countless occasions in the first half before the Canadian scored in the 39th minute. Larin secured the victory in the 72nd minute by linking up with a terrific pass from Matias Perez Garcia.

Larin’s goalscoring exploits helped him beat out Maxi Urruti and Diego Valeri for SBI MLS Player of the Week honors.

Team of the Week

The Portland Timbers were magnificent in the second half in their Western Conference showdown with the Houston Dynamo. After Houston hung with Caleb Porter’s men for a half, the Timbers’ front six turned it up a few notches in the second 45 to remain perfect with a 4-2 win at Providence Park.

With the win, the Timbers top the rival Seattle Sounders for SBI Team of the Week honors.

Rookie of the Week 

Columbus’ shift to a 3-4-2-1 benefited the club in its 2-0 win over D.C. United and it gave Alex Crognale a chance to shine in the three-man center back pairing. The Crew rookie made 11 clearances and a few key tackles in one of three clean sheets earned across MLS this weekend.

Goal of the Week

Benny Feilhaber left David Bingham flatfooted with his 37th-minute strike from the right side of the field that flew into the left part of the net in Sporting Kansas City’s 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

Comments

    • Everyone is just frightened to death of them… they spent the last 2 years making fun of Atlanta even getting a team and within a year it might become a marquee MLS franchise… (playing in…gasp a cavernouse NFL stadium…. that will be FULL)…

      Reply

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