Down a goal on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes, Portland Timbers midfielder Rodney Wallace got busy in the second half netting a brace to help bring the Timbers a full three points and keep pace in the race for the final MLS Cup Playoff spot. It was a performance that earned the Costa Rican international on the MLS Team of the Week.
At the StubHub Center, Robbie Keane put away two classy goals against Toronto FC. The second one was a spectacular volley, hitting the ball perfecly out of the air and into the back of the net in a flash.
The next day Obafemi Martins scored a goal on each side of halftime as the Sounders rolled past the Colorado Rapids.
Who else earned a spot on the latest? Read on to find out.
GK: Bobby Shuttleworth (New England Revolution) A solid showing from the Revs ‘keeper, who made six saves – including a couple of huge ones – to help New England earn all three points against the Crew.
D: Lovel Palmer (Chicago Fire) – Strong defensively and a threat going forward, Palmer was the best player on the field in the Fire's 0-0 draw against the Impact.
D: Bobby Burling (Chivas USA) – One of the main reasons why RSL were limited to one shot on target against Chivas USA, as the Goats snapped a 12-game winless streak.
D: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) – Got his defense back on track as SKC held D.C. United scoreless. Besler was all over the field, helping to stall DC's advances.
D: Chris Tierney (New England Revolution) – The veteran left back showed why he's been in the league for seven seasons, even switching to the midfield after the introduction of Kevin Alston.
M: Mauro Rosales (Vancouver Whitecaps) – Had an outstanding workrate against Dallas and pulled the strings in setting up Sebastian Fernandez on both goals in the Whitecaps' 2-0 win.
M: Matias Laba (Vancouver Whitecaps) – Had what amounted to a goal-saving tackle in the box, and disrupted Dallas’ attack all night.
M: Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls) – He won the midfield, and the Red Bulls won the game against Houston. Patrolled deep midfield relentlessly and set the tempo with his distribution.
M: Rodney Wallace (Portland Timbers) – Was in the right place at the right time on the winning goal, but his terrific individual effort jumpstarted Portland’s comeback vs. the Quakes.
F: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) – Continued his MVP campaign with two goals against Toronto FC, and this volley might be his best goal this season.
F: Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders) – Another efficient outing with a pair of goals against a defense that couldn’t keep up in Colorado. Has 17 goals on the season and is a sure-fire MVP nominee.
Coach: Jay Heaps (New England Revolution) – Came away with a crucial victory over Columbus in dreary conditions, and he has his two stars clicking.
Bench:Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Davy Arnaud (D.C. United), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Sebastian Fernandez (Vancouver Whitecaps), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
