A brace for Jesus Ferreira, a big week and a crucial win for the Seattle Sounders cap an important week in Major League Soccer.
Ferreira raised his goal total to 18 with two more goals in FC Dallas’ 2-1 comeback win over Los Angeles FC. FC Dallas has gone three games unbeaten and rose into a position to challenge Austin FC for second in the Western Conference.
The Sounders dominated a strong Austin FC side to keep their playoff hopes alive out West, with Raul Ruidiaz leading the charge to help bring the Sounders within striking distance of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Among the top goals in Week 30 were a stunning strike from Thiago Almada in a 4-2 Atlanta United win over Toronto FC and a Cristian Arango chip over FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
Here are the top moments in Week 30:
Player of the Week
Jesus Ferreira has proven he is one of the most dangerous players in the box this season, and a perfect example of that came late in FC Dallas’s 2-1 win over LAFC.
Ferreira first scored with a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 78th minute to bring his team level. LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau could have done much better with the save, but Ferreira placed his shot well and took his free kick quickly.
Another quick free kick produced Dallas’ second goal. Ferreira found a window of space after a feed from Paul Arriola and buried a shot into the opposite side. Ferreira’s two goals allowed FC Dallas to complete a comeback that lands Nico Estevez’ side its second win in a row. Dallas is now in position to challenge an ailing Austin FC for second place in the Western Conference.
Honorable mention for Player of the Week in Week 30 goes to Brenner, whose hat trick in a 6-0 win for FC Cincinnati made the rout the biggest win in club history. Juan Jose Sanchez Purata also added a hat trick to help Atlanta United fend off Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Team of the Week
The Seattle Sounders went into the week in desperate need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but Austin FC provided a tough opponent standing in the way. It didn’t matter though as the Sounders delivered one of their best performances of the season on the way to a 3-0 victory at Lumen Field.
Raul Ruidaz’s two-goal effort helped the Sounders pull within four points of Real Salt Lake for seventh place in the West and the final playoff spot.
The Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati also put together solid weeks to earn Best Team consideration this week.
Goal of the Week
Atlanta United is decidedly on the outside looking in at a playoff berth after disastrous form in the previous weeks, but a 4-2 win over Toronto FC offers some hope for the future for Gonzalo Pineda’s team.
Thiago Almada, a revelation in his first season for the Five Stripes with five goals and 11 assists, scored another incredible goal from outside the box for the eventual game-winning goal.
Atlanta United is not completely out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, but the competition is stiff. The Five Stripes are five points behind the Crew, tied on points with Inter Miami at 36 and must also compete with the Revolution at 38 points.
NOTE TO TEAMS ………”PROTECT YOUR TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER AT ALL COST” when Almada is on the field, lol!!!!!! Compare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb73AJ2_60w
Awesome goal of the week