Photo by ISIphotos.com
When the 2009 MLS season got underway, things weren't going so hot for former MLS Cup champions D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo.
D.C. managed just one win in its first five (a win vs. Houston), while the Dynamo started off winless in its first four.
Four combined wins later and both D.C. and Houston look like they might be up to their old tricks again.
Week Seven saw D.C. post a second-straight comeback victory while the Dynamo rode a tough defense to a second straight win and third straight shutout. With both teams climbing up the standings, the races in both conferences have tightened.
Those victories were just two of the highlights of Week Seven in MLS. Here is a rundown of the week's Best XI and Worst XI moments/plays/performances, as well as the SBI MLS Team of the Week:
MLS Week Seven Best XI
D.C. United pulling off a second straight comeback win.
The ageless Jaime Moreno scoring two goals for D.C.
Emmanuel Ekpo's beautiful juke, run and finish.
The contingent of Columbus Crew fans at BMO Field.
Kosuke Kimura's long-range blast.
Houston's defense posting a third-straight shutout.
The contingent of Dynamo fans at Gillette Stadium
The L.A. Galaxy defense making a one-goal lead stand up.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco entertaining the crowd with his variety of moves.
Seattle's defense standing firm despite being a man down for 42 minutes.
The contingent of Sounders fans who made the trip to Toyota Park.
MLS Week Seven Worst XI
The New York Red Bulls' stagnant offense.
New England with a second straight flat performance.
FC Dallas' defense falling apart yet again.
The Columbus Crew squandering another lead.
Chicago failing to win despite a man advantage for 42 minutes.
Matt Reis' miscue on Stuart Holden's goal.
San Jose's miscommunication on Chivas USA's game-winning goal.
A debatable red cardissued to Jamison Olave (clumsy yellow sure, but straight red? Not so much).
Javier Morales elbow to the face of Pablo Mastroeni (which earned him a suspension)
Sparse crowds at Colorado-RSL, Chicago-Seattle and Houston-New England.
SBI MLS Team of the Week (Week 7)
———–Jaime Moreno———–Brian Ching————-
———————–Cuauhtemoc Blanco——————-
Colin Clark———————————-Emmanuel Expo
———————–Pablo Mastroeni————————
Jonathan Bornstein————————–Kosuke Kimura
————Tyrone Marshall—-Andrew Hainault———-
————————–Zach Thornton———————-
Honorable Mentions: Stefan Frei, Brian Namoff, Gregg Berhalter, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Tim Ward, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Justin Braun
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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?