MLS: Week 5 Team of the Week – Alejandro Pozuelo shines
A look at Week 5 of the MLS season and the best performances, one of which was Alejandro Pozuelo’s debut. Here is the Week 5 Team of the Week.
Major League Soccer returned to its regular schedule this week following an abbreviated Week 4 due to the international break. It was an exciting week filled with plenty of goals.
LAFC, New England, D.C. United, and Sporting Kansas City all have two players on this week’s Team of the Week. However, it is Alejandro Pozuelo who gets Player of the Week honors after making a splash in his debut with Toronto FC.
Here is the full Week 5 MLS Team of the Week.
All Stats come from whoscored.com.
Goalkeeper & Defense
GK – Zack Steffen – Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew need to enjoy Zack Steffen while they can. He is going to join Manchester City this June. This week he kept a clean sheet against the reigning MLS Cup champions, Atlanta United. Steffen made five saves in the effort.
D – Frederic Brillant – D.C. United
Frederic Brillant’s center-back counterpart, Steve Birnbaum, may have been a goalscorer in D.C. United’s 2-1 victory over Orlando City last week, but it was Brillant who was the league’s best defender in Week 5. Brillant made five tackles and an incredible 13 clearances against Orlando City SC. He was also excellent in the air, winning nine aerials. D.C. United were under fire late in the match, as the home team tried to equalize, but Brillant did all he could to keep D.C. United on top.
D – Jalil Anibaba – New England Revolution
Jalil Anibaba scored a diving header from a set-piece to give New England their first goal of the night. In addition to scoring, Anibaba was great on the defensive end. He finished the match with four tackles, eight interceptions, and six clearances. Anibaba has played very well in his two starts this year and could be on his way to locking-down New England’s second center-back spot.
D – Steven Beitashour – Los Angeles FC
Steven Beitashour has been one of the very best right-backs in MLS the last few seasons, going back to his time with Toronto FC. His two-way ability was on display against San Jose. Beitashour had a goal and an assist, as well as two more key passes. On defense, he had three tackles, two inceptions, and three clearances.