Los Angeles FC’s recent groove continued on Sunday with Carlos Vela leading the way against rivals L.A. Galaxy in MLS play.
Vela’s brace helped Steve Cherundolo’s squad continue their unbeaten start in MLS, earning a 3-2 road win at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Mexican international had been in Denis Bouanga’s shadow in recent weeks, but four goals scored in his last two starts for LAFC in all competitions helped him earn SBI’s MLS Player of the Week honors.
Vela scored in the 22nd and 68th minutes respectively as LAFC moved to 5-2-0 in league play. The 34-year-old now has three goals and three assists in seven league appearances, continuing what could be another stellar season for him.
Here is a closer look at some other top moments from Week 8 in MLS:
Team of the Week
After enduring a two-hour tornado warning and rain delay at CITYPARK, St. Louis CITY SC rebounded from two-straight defeats in a massive way. FC Cincinnati was on top of the Supporters’ Shield rankings prior to this weekend, but St. Louis’ massive 5-1 demolition had them reclaiming top spot.
FC Cincy came into the match with only four goals conceded this season, but saw that count doubled after letting up five goals in a 54-minute span. Jared Stroud and Eduard Lowen kickstarted the party before Kyle Hiebert’s second MLS goal extended the hosts lead to 3-0 at halftime.
Nicholas Gioacchini and a Roman Celentano own goal continued the onslaught in the second half before Sergio Santos pulled a consolation tally back for Pat Noonan’s squad.
LAFC, Orlando City, and the Portland Timbers all finished the weekend as finalists for the weekly honors.
Goal of the Week
Dairon Asprilla’s 71st-minute bicycle kick for the Portland Timbers is an obvious choice for Goal of the Week.
Not only was it an outrageous finish to put the Timbers on the board, but it was the moment that woke Providence Park up. The Timbers would proceed to put three additional goals past rivals Seattle Sounders in a comeback 4-1 home victory.
Young Player of the Week
Bernard Kamungo capped off his MLS debut in style with the 21-year-old Tanzanian attacker saving the day for FC Dallas.
Kamungo came off the bench in the 72nd minute and delivered the winning goal for Nico Estevez’s bunch at home. Marco Farfan’s cross was hammered home by Kamungo in the box for his first MLS goal and a 2-1 winner.
After excelling last season in MLS NEXT Pro for North Texas SC, Kamungo will be hoping for continued success at MLS level.