MLS Week 18: Team of the Week

Jul 12, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC forward Dominic Oduro (23) celebrates with forward Jermain Defoe (18) after scoring a goal against the Houston Dynamo at BMO Field. The FC beat the Dynamo 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Right Midfield: Dominic Oduro, Toronto FC 

One of the players benefiting the most from a successful 2014 for Toronto FC, 28 year old right midfielder Dominic Oduro has been quietly cementing himself a spot in TFC manager Ryan Nelsen’s Starting XI for some time now and you could see why on Saturday when the pacy Oduru caused havoc for the Houston Dynamo during the 58 minutes in which the impact player from Ghana was on the pitch.

Giving Toronto FC a threat on the wing that can lead a counter attack to give Nelsen’s attack an option other than the long ball to Jermain Defoe when midfielder Michael Bradley is absent from the lineup, Oduru showed that his pace is more than enough to build up a counter attack all by himself on Saturday. Often giving Dynamo defenders fits when he picked up the ball anywhere over the halfway line as TFC were in all out attack mode following two early Houston goals from midfielder Brad Davis.

That pace was on display when Oduru’s speed allowed the underrated midfielder to find himself open late in the second half on a Toronto counter where he finished his own rebound off an initial save from Tally Hall to complete a first half comeback from 2-0 down for TFC right before the half time whistle.

Despite being taken off for Daniel Lovitz in the 58th minute, it is hard not to praise Oduru’s performance on Saturday as without his speed down the wing it is questionable that Toronto would have completed their comeback. Their goal in added time in the first half stole all of the momentum away from the Dynamo and got the loud supporters at BMO Field off their feet and into full voice. Expect more of an impact from Oduru as the season progresses, lacking in potential as a 28 year old, Oduru has made up for his advanced age with the pace and running ability of a youngster so far. Here is to hoping more electric play from Oduru continues, if anything he is one of the most exciting underrated players to watch as of late.