The Portland Timbers came out on a national broadcast stage Sunday to lay down a marker in a dramatic 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC.
Helping lead the way was Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri who fired home two goals--the second of which is up for the AT&T MLS Goal of the Week (Wk 19). Along with bolstering his MVP credentials, the performance earned the Portland maestro a spot on the MLS Team of the Week for Week 19.
Fellow Argentine Lucas Melano threatened throughout the game with blazing speed and contributed two key assists to earn a spot on the TOTW bench.
Check out the rest of the MLS Week 19 Team of the Week below:
Player (Week 19 Audi Player Index Ranking)
GK: Luis Robles, NY (#20): 2 games played, 2 goals conceded, 9 saves
D: Aaron Maund, RSL (#167): 2 games played, 10 interceptions, 7 clearances
D: Victor Bernardez, SJ (#77): 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 89 percent passing accuracy
D: Axel Sjoberg, COL (#35): 6 interceptions, 5 clearances, 7/7 aerial duels
M: Andreas Ivanschitz, SEA (#11): 2 games played, 1 goal, 2 assists, 5 chances created
M: Mauro Diaz, DAL (#5): 1 goal, 3 shots, 4 chances created
M: Diego Valeri, POR (#1): 2 goals, 5 shots, 3 chances created
M: Sacha Kljestan, NY (#3): 2 goals, 2 shots, 4 clearances
M: Fabian Castillo, DAL (#36): 2 games played, 2 assists, 6 chances created, 5 successful dribbles
F: David Villa, NYC (#14): 1 goal, 2 shots, 75% passing accuracy in final third
F: Giovani dos Santos, LA (#42): 4 chances created, 86% passing accuracy
Bench: Bobby Shuttleworth, NE (#72); Harrison Afful, CLB (#71); Osvaldo Alonso, SEA (#12); Fatai Alashe, SJ (#80); Jack Harrison, NYC (#27); Lucas Melano, POR (#418); Cyle Larin, ORL (#22)
