After three straight matches without a win, it looked like more of the same for Los Angeles FC in its road match against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night.
Alan Pulido’s first-half penalty kick goal boosted Peter Vermes’ squad in front 1-0 and put LAFC into an early hole at Children’s Mercy Park. However, a second-half comeback from Steve Cherundolo’s men helped snap a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions and claim a 2-1 victory to earn SBI Best of MLS Team of the Week honors.
Denil Maldonado’s equalizer came in the 48th minute before Carlos Vela’s left-footed strike in the 90th minute proved to be the winner. LAFC moved level with first place St. Louis CITY SC atop the Western Conference on 29 points apiece.
LAFC also have one match in hand over St. Louis going into the summer schedule.
Here is a closer look at the rest of Week 18’s Best of MLS:
Player of the Week
MLS has a new leader in the Golden Boot race, and who else would it be than Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar?
The reigning league MVP added to his goal total on Saturday with his second hat trick of the season in a 3-1 home triumph over West-leading St. Louis CITY SC. Nashville SC’s unbeaten run was extended to 10 matches in league play, which has seen Mukhtar total 11 goals over this span.
There’s still one half of the league season to go, but Mukhtar has a strong case to become MLS’ first-ever two-time MVP winner if he keeps it up.
Goal of the Week
Lucas Zelarayan’s stellar strike in Week 17 has competition for the Goal of the Season in MLS.
Pablo Ruiz scored the opener in Real Salt Lake’s eventual 2-1 road victory over 10-men DC United, letting rip from inside his own half before halftime. Ruiz caught veteran shot-stopper Tyler Miller off of his line and celebrated a wonder goal which helped broke open the scoring at Audi Field.
RSL would use Danny Musovski’s second-half goal to extend its lead to 2-0 before Chris Durkin netted a consolation tally two minutes later.
Pablo Mastroeni’s squad are up to seventh in the West standings following Saturday’s triumph.