After a low-scoring opening weekend, MLS' stars came out of their shells in Week 2.
In the Rose City, Portland Timbers midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe played a key role on both of his teammate's Fanendo Adi's goals in the team's 2-2 draw with the Galaxy. The play got Nagbe onto the Week 2 MLS Team of the Week while Adi earned himself a bench spot.
Elsewhwere, one of the most prolific goalscorers in MLS over the last five seasons showed us that he is not going to let that title go by the wayside in 2015. Chris Wondolowski helped the San Jose Earthquakes down the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field by scoring two goals; he now has nine career goals against the Cascadia juggernaut.
In New York City FC's inaugural home game, David Villa led the way against the visiting New England Revolution, 2-0. The all-time leading goalscorer in Spanish national team history scored the first home goal for Jason Kreis' team and then set up Patrick Mullins to tap in the second.
Who else earned a spot on the latest Team of the Week? Read on to find out.
GK: Bobby Shuttleworth (New England Revolution) - An outstanding performance with seven saves – including several fantastic point-blank stops – to keep the Revs in it at Yankee Stadium.
D: Hernán Grana (Columbus Crew SC) – The Argentinian was flying up and down the right flank all night, proving very dangerous in Crew SC's 2-0 win over Toronto FC.
D: Rafael Ramos (Orlando City SC) – His tireless work in Houston proved fruitful as Orlando City got their first win in MLS, beating the Dynamo 1-0.
D: Sam Adekugbe (Vancouver Whitecaps) – His two blocks in the first half helped keep the Fire off the board as the Whitecaps won 1-0 in Bridgeview.
M: Fabián Castillo (FC Dallas) – Pitched in a goal and an assist while also providing his usual sparkling 1v1 play as FC Dallas downed Sporting Kansas City 3-1.
M: Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers) – Played vital roles in both goals and looked more like they player we all hope he’ll be in the first half as the Timbers drew with the Galaxy 2-2.
M: Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake) – Not only did he put in a free kick (helped by a slight deflection), but the veteran midfielder provided great service all night in RSL's 3-3 draw with the Union.
M: Justin Meram (Columbus Crew SC) – Opened the scoring and was very dangerous on the night, firing off seven shots in Crew SC's win.
F: David Villa (New York City FC) – Yeah, he could’ve scored a few more, but that goal was marvelous, and the assist was even better. A season like that, and he’ll get his name up in Monument Park.
F: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) – He just scores goals and showed that again with two cold-blooded strikes against the Sounders.
F: Blas Pérez (FC Dallas) – Scored two goals, provided decent hold-up play and mixed in his usual blend of craftiness and cunning.
Coach: Dominic Kinnear (San Jose Earthquakes) – Started a rookie in the center of midfield and was able to hold onto the lead despite being down a man for 40 minutes.
Bench:David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Jason Hernandez (New York City FC), Darwin Cerén (Orlando City SC), Fatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes), Octavio Rivero (Vancouver Whitecaps), Fanendo Adi (Portland Timbers), Fernando Aristeguieta (Philadelphia Union)
