Photo by ISIphotos.com
Week Three of the MLS season will be remembered for hat-tricks, comebacks and continued slumps. Conor Casey and Robbie Findley did the honors with three goals apiece, while New England and Colorado fought back for victories after trailing.
Then you have the slumping powers, Columbus and Houston, which finish week three with a combined record of 0-4-3.
There were also some memorable goals, including Sainey Nyassi's dribble and drive, as well as Freddie Ljungberg's first MLS goal, which came off a beautiful sequence.
Here is a look back at the Best and Worst performances/moments/developments from Week Three of the MLS season, as well as this week's MLS Team of the Week:
Week Three Best XI
Conor Casey's hat-trick.
Robbie Findley's hat-trick.
Chivas USA keeping it rolling with new faces.
The Seattle Sounders winning their first road game.
Freddie Ljungberg scoring a goal and playing a great first game.
Osvaldo Alonso continuing to state his case as a surprise all-star.
Clint Mathis showing glimpses of the old Clint Mathis.
Sainey Nyassi's beautiful equalizing goal vs. FC Dallas.
Chicago showing heart in winning despite being a man down.
D.C. United's defense putting forth a solid effort after some very shaky weeks.
The Kansas City defense posts a shutout after giving up five in its first two games.
Week Three Worst XI
Wil Hesmer's awful clearance right to Robbie Findley.
Columbusdropping two straight to start winless in four.
Andy Iro's ugly tackle on Carey Talley.
The LA Galaxy's horrendous defending in the loss to Colorado.
The Red Bulls midfield's terrible showing vs. Chicago.
San Jose's attack reverting to its toothless ways vs. KC. (one shot on goal).
Toronto FC coming out flat and playing poorly in sold-out home opener.
Houston's offense continuing to struggle to find the net.
The announced crowd of 6,922 at the KC-San Jose game.
Nasty weather in Chicago, Toronto and Kansas City that forced many fans to stay home.
FC Dallas blowing a lead and giving up all the points.
SBI MLS Team of the Week (Week 3)
—————Conor Casey——-Robbie Findley————–
–Freddie Ljungberg—-Shalrie Joseph—Clint Mathis——-
————–Osvaldo Alonso——-Jesse Marsch————–
Wilman Conde———-Jimmy Conrad———Brian Namoff
—————————-Kasey Keller————————-
Honorable Mentions: Brad Knighton, Bakary Soumare, Lance Watson, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Logan Pause, Claudio Lopez, Logan Pause, Brad Evans, Eduardo Lillingston, Landon Donovan, Luciano Emilio
(I added Donovan and Pause, who were both deserving. almost went with Knighton in goal but Keller's presence in the penalty area vs. Toronto can't be ignored. He's the most commanding presence in goal in the league and it showed again vs. Toronto.)
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What did you think of the selections? Where there any glaring omissions? Did you have a personal favorite you would have liked to se on the list?
Share your thoughts on this week's MLS Best XI, Worst XI and Team of the Week in the comments section below.