FC Cincinnati fittingly grabbed their first win in MLS in their home opener on Sunday in a solid 3-0 win over the Portland Timbers which included a highlight-worthy goal by Allen Cruz.
The Red Bulls scored four second-half goals on the struggling San Jose Earthquakes in the second half to win their home opener on Saturday and D.C. United continues their strong start to the season in a 5-0 thrashing of Real Salt Lake thanks to Wayne Rooney’s first hat-trick in MLS, making him our Player of the Week.
Player of the Week
Wayne Rooney notched his first hat-trick in MLS in D.C. United’s 5-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday, making him our easy choice for Player of the Week.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DThbeVpmZAI]
Rooney netted a pair of goals late in the first half – the first on a penalty kick to open the scoring in the 34th minute and the second just seven minutes later, capitalizing on a counter for D.C. and beating Nick Rimando for the easy goal. His third came in the 65th minute off of a pass from Junior Moreno in front of goal against a 10-man RSL side.
Team of the Week
FC Cincinnati made their case that they belong in Major League Soccer, defeating the Portland Timbers 3-0 in their home opener at Nippert Stadium on Sunday. The impressive part was FCC easily handling Portland after suffering a terrible loss to Seattle in the opener and playing Atlanta JUNited to a 1-1 draw last week.
Goal of the Week
Allan Cruz’s back-heel goal to the far post past Jeff Attinella to put FC Cincinnati up 2-0 against the Timbers on Sunday helped FCC get the home-opening win in pure style.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9TTokNsnh0]
Young Player of the Week
Philadelphia Union 18-year-old Homegrown Brenden Aaronson scored his first career MLS goal (and his first professional goal) on his debut in the Union’s 1-1 draw at Atlanta United on Sunday. Aaronson, stepping in for Marco Fabian who was suspended for this match after earning a red card last week, put the Union ahead 1-0 to start the second half with his shot to the far post, catching Brad Guzan flat-footed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcitKaklx1g]
John Nelson made his MLS debut for FC Dallas at the 74th minute vs the Crew. The left back was active completing passes and making two plays that resulted in scoring chances while holding the Crew’s right side attack at bay. In a foot race with Zardes for the ball, he did not lose so he has some speed.
He faces competition for the spot at Dallas, but I think he will become the starter in not too long. He has picked up some bulk since playing for the youth national teams where he was quietly one of, if not the best player on the squad and that will only help him hold off opposing forwards.
The main reasons I have been impressed by him is his ability to maintain focus in the game and he seldom/never gets caught out of position even as he makes frequent runs forward.
–
Being a solid defender seldom gets one player of the week honors or rookie of the week honors, but it should