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MLS: Top performances from Week 23

By Matt Coles

ATLANTA, GA MAY 08: Atlanta United's Josef Martinez (7) looks back at the goal after his shot just missed during the MLS match between Toronto FC and Atlanta United FC on May 8th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA MAY 08: Atlanta United's Josef Martinez (7) looks back at the goal after his shot just missed during the MLS match between Toronto FC and Atlanta United FC on May 8th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 21: New York FC forward Valentin Castellanos (11) moves up field during a MLS match between D.C. United and New York FC on October 21, 2018, at Audi Field in Washington D.C. DC United defeated New York FC 3-1. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 21: New York FC forward Valentin Castellanos (11) moves up field during a MLS match between D.C. United and New York FC on October 21, 2018, at Audi Field in Washington D.C. DC United defeated New York FC 3-1. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Valentin Castellanos

New York City FC played twice this week, and our second-best performance of the week showed his worth on Thursday night. Valentin Castellanos started on the bench, but he came on just before the hour mark and his contribution to the side was all-important.

The attacking midfielder came on with the scores level, goals from Alexandru Mitrita and Juan Cabezas cancelling each other out. The Dynamo took the lead with 13 minutes to play through Mauro Manotas before Castellanos came to the fore for NYCFC. With seven minutes to go, the Argentinian playmaker got the equaliser for the home side. He headed home after a cross from Keaton Parks found him unmarked in the box.

The midfielder then scored the winner deep into stoppage time as NYCFC finally got ahead of the ten-man Houston side at the end of the game. He scored the rebound after his header from a Roland Mattarita cross had been save from point-blank range by Dynamo’s goalkeeper Tyler Deric.

Castellanos now has seven goals on the year, along with four assists, and his contributions will be vital for the Sky Blues if they are to reach the postseason again. NCYFC currently sit in fourth in the East as it stands, a point ahead of city rivals, the Red Bulls. They currently have a home spot for the first playoff round, and they will need the performances of Castellanos to keep them there over the final stretch of the regular season.

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