A lopsided home victory for the Columbus Crew and a four-goal performance from Jordan Morris headlined the Best of MLS for Week 5.
The Columbus Crew rebounded from back-to-back winless results by putting six goals past Atlanta United in a 6-1 home triumph on Saturday night. Christian Ramirez scored twice for the Crew while Aidan Morris, Philip Quinton, Jacen Russell-Rowe, and Max Arfsten all celebrated goals of their own.
The result marked the Crew’s first home head-to-head win over the Five Stripes since November 2020.
Jordan Morris’ hot run of form continued for the Seattle Sounders on Saturday as the U.S. men’s national team winger scored all four goals in a 4-1 win over Sporting KC. Morris connected with Leo Chu for three of his goals before finishing off Nicolas Lodeiro’s assist to cap off a dominant performance.
Here are the top moments in Week 5:
Player of the Week
Jordan Morris registered his first four-goal performance for the Seattle Sounders, as Brian Schmetzer’s squad rolled past Sporting KC 4-1.
Morris scored once in the first half to tie the match at 1-1 before scoring three additional goals in a 23-minute span to flip the match on its head. The 28-year-old scored with his right foot on three of his tallies before rising high to head home Nico Lodeiro’s cross in the 77th minute.
Morris now has seven goals in five MLS appearances this season.
Christian Ramirez, Joao Klauss, and Noel Buck were honorable mentions for the Player of the Week honors.
Team of the Week
The Columbus Crew did not have Lucas Zelarayan or Cucho Hernandez to call on for Saturday’s home showdown with Atlanta United, but it didn’t matter in the end as the Crew dominated at Lower.com Field.
Christian Ramirez scored twice for his first goals back in MLS while four additional players scored in a 6-1 romp over then-unbeaten Atlanta United. Three of last season’s MLS NEXT Pro standouts celebrated goals of their own with Jacen Russell-Rowe, Philip Quinton, and Max Arfsten all finding the back of the net.
Fellow MLS NEXT Pro standout Mo Farsi registered one assist at right wingback.
Chicago Fire, St Louis CITY SC, and Orlando City also earned important victories, finishing as Team of the Week nominees.
Goal of the Week
The Chicago Fire used a 92nd-minute winner from veteran striker Kei Kamara to claim a 3-2 road victory over Inter Miami.
Kamara’s blistering strike off a brilliant counter attack by the Fire proved to be the deciding goal as Ezra Hendrickson’s squad picked up their first win of the 2023 season. Chris Mueller and Carlos Teran boosted the Fire in front but Inter Miami roared its way back to tie things at 2-2.
The 38-year-old Kamara came off the bench similar to many times before and played the hero for the Fire for the first time.
Young Player of the Week
The New England Revolution started three teenagers in its trip to Audi Field on Saturday and Noel Buck walked away the hero for Bruce Arena’s squad.
Buck’s stoppage-time winner propelled the Revs to a 2-1 comeback result over D.C. United, moving them to 4-0-1 this season. The 17-year-old’s deflected shot from outside of the box nestled into the bottom corner and led the Revs to back-to-back victories.
Buck has appeared in all five matches for the Revs this season and featured alongside Esmir Bajraktarevic and Jack Panayotou on Saturday.
Jacen Russell-Rowe (one goal, one assist), Josh Atencio (90 minutes), and Brooklyn Raines (65 minutes played) also finished the weekend as Young Player of the Week nominees.
A lot of youth served this past weekend. Noel Buck looks to be a star in the making. I wonder if the Revs will release him for the u 20 WC? Maybe he gets a Fold Cup call up this summer? Right now he is one of the best 8’s in the league at 17 years old.
Alvarado JR, Jack McGlynn, Diego Lunaz, Obed Vargas, who do you drop in place of Buck?
Tskaris
Hard to say but Buck is playing first team soccer every week and for my money one of the best 8’s in MLS as a 17 year old.
I like Tsakaris, but he was Obed Vargas’ replacement, plus he wasn’t one of the choices. What’s up people never answering questions.
Sorry didn’t understand your question. I said Tsakiris because I thought he was the weakest of the CMs last summer and he’s hurt. Luno is more a wing or 10, Varges I see more as a 6 so it’s McGlynn or Alvarado. I guess I’d go Alvarado just because I don’t know why he’s no longer seeing time with first team. I haven’t seen Buck this year so maybe I’d take all of them over him.
On a side note- did anyone notice Richie Ledezma played for NYFC?
Yeah loan went thru last week during the Balogun drama. No option to buy. Had to give RSL some Garber bucks. I think it runs the whole season but I didn’t see the exact end of loan date.