What has potential to be one of the most historic seasons in Major League Soccer history continued on Saturday, while one of the top teams in the Western Conference downed a MLS Cup contender from the Eastern Conference.
In addition to those standout performances, Sunday’s lone contest produced a few memorable moments that deserved recognition.
Here’s out staff picks for the best of MLS from Week 18.
Player of the Week
Nemanja Nikolic is becoming one of the top acquisitions in league history by scoring at a rapid pace for the first-place Chicago Fire. Nikolic opened up a four-goal advantage in the Golden Boot race with his 15th and 16th strikes of the season in the Fire’s 4-0 win over the Whitecaps. He also contributed an assist in the victory.
Team of the Week
Most teams playing at home this week had an easy challenge on their hands, but FC Dallas faced the opposite against Toronto FC. Oscar Pareja’s men pounced early behind a pair of Roland Lamah goals and ended up with a 3-1 victory that boosted the club into second place in the West.
Rookie of the Week
Before he exited the match with a minor knee injury in the 62nd minute, Jack Elliott continued his impressive form for the Philadelphia Union. Jim Curtin’s men recorded their seventh clean sheet of the season as they knocked off the New England Revolution 3-0.
Goal of the Week
Plenty of stunning and important goals were netted this week, but none were prettier than the strike Roland Alberg had with his first touch in the 78th minute of the Union’s win over the Revs.
SUPERSUB @rolandalberg.
What a hit from the @PhilaUnion man seconds after entering the game. https://t.co/wgt0w7zwhE
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 2, 2017