Portland Timbers winger Sebastián Blanco continued his strong start to 2017 with his second assist of the year Saturday against Columbus Crew SC in a close 3-2 loss in Ohio. Blanco's pass unlocked the Crew SC defense as it zipped to winger Dairon Asprilla on his right who drove to score his first goal of the year.
That assist, along with five recoveries and two chance creations earned Blanco a spot on the MLS Team of the Week.
Forward Fanendo Adi, who scored his fourth goal of the year, and midfielder Diego Valeri earned spots on the TOTW bench.
The Timbers have had at least one player on the MLS Team of the Week or bench spot for each of the first four weeks of the 2017 regular-season.
Note: Team of the Week is voted on by the MLSsoccer.com editorial staff.
Bench: Luis Robles, NY; Aaron Maund, RSL; Demar Phillips, RSL; Tyler Adams, NY; Wil Trapp, CLB; Diego Valeri, POR; Fanendo Adi, POR
Coach: Jay Heaps, NE