The Podium™️: From USL to a Podium place
By Anthony Rotz
🥉 Hassani Dotson (Minnesota United)
An absolute force from midfield in Minnesota United’s 2-2 draw at Real Salt Lake, Dotson provided both the steel and just enough industry to claim some points on the road.
Tasked with shielding the backline, Dotson helped to limit the damage as Salt Lake pushed heavily forward, launching over 20 shots in the second half alone. Patrolling in his own half, Dotson snuffed out several balls and forced many turnovers, often bullying others off the ball.
While his defensive actions were outstanding, they won’t get as much praise as his 27th-minute strike to put Minnesota up 1-0, ultimately the cherry on top of a wonderful performance.
🥈Samuel Adeniran (St. Louis City SC)
St. Louis City, winless in their previous four games, needed a hero. Don Garber isn’t helping to engineer a move for a Ballon d’Or winner to the Lou soon. Luckily, St. Louis had a secret weapon all along, Samuel Adeniran.
Loaned to USL Championship side, San Antonio FC, on June 9th, Adeniran was quickly recalled into action following long-term injuries to João Klauss and Eduard Löwen.
Rejoining the club just a day before their match at the San Jose Earthquakes, Adeniran responded to the show of faith (or desperation) by scoring a brace en route to a 2-1 win over San Jose.
Adeniran scored his first MLS goal in the 41st minute before scoring the eventual winner from the penalty spot in the 58th minute.
It’s been a tumultuous tenure since Adeniran returned to the States. Hopefully, this performance propels the 24-year-old forward.
🥇Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Just as Robert I led the Scots to an upset over the English at Bannockburn, Matchday 21 was Ryan Gauld’s turn to invoke the renowned king.
Playing on the road against the defending MLS Cup champions, the 27-year-old put on a complete performance, contributing to all three goals in a 3-2 win over LAFC.
Gauld assisted on the opener in the 2nd minute, delivering a corner to Janko Veselinović, and served up another 11 minutes later on Brian White’s header.
In the 63rd minute, with the game in the balance at 2-1, Gauld found a deflected shot at his feet and joined the score sheet.
Honorable Mentions: Roman Bürki (STL), Julio Cascante (AUS), Justen Glad (RSL), Frankie Amaya (NYR), Emanuel Reynoso (MIN), Evander (POR), Bobby Wood (NE)