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The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 10

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Our MLS expert James Nalton picks five of the standout players from Matchday 10 in Major League Soccer, including his two North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) Player of the Matchday votes.

By James Nalton

Inter Miami and LA Galaxy continue to throw caution to the wind, prioritising attack over defence, and continue to be rewarded for it, as both sit atop their respective conferences.

They are tied on 18 points at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings (the overall table combining both conferences) and boast some of the most entertaining attacking players in the league.

One of them makes the top two this week, but there were also some eye-catching displays elsewhere across the league in this tenth round of games.

The Top Two

9.4 FotMob rating: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami

Inter Miami have one of the worst defences in MLS. Only three teams in their Eastern Conference have conceded more so far this season. But when you have the most star-studded attack in the history of the league, those defensive frailties matter less.

Miami went 1-0 down early on against Nashville, and then almost 2-0 down as a Josh Bauer shot bounced on the line but not over it before Messi and Luis Suárez stepped up once again.

Messi saw a shot saved by Elliot Panicco but Suárez was following up and turned the ball back to his teammate who finished at the far post.

A Messi corner then set up Sergio Busquets to make it two and a first Messi penalty goal for Miami made it 3-1.

Drake Callender is playing his part in goal from Miami behind that leaky defence, but at the other end, this attack of Messi and Suárez could break MLS records in 2024.

9.4 FotMob rating: Cristian Arango – Real Salt Lake

Despite their heroics for Miami so far this season, neither Messi nor Suárez are top of the goalscoring charts at the start of 2024.

That status is currently held by Chicho Arango, who has played a big role in Real Salt Lake’s great start to the season. He scored twice and assisted another, for Diego Luna, in a 4-0 win at Chicago Fire which keeps RSL in the mix at the top of the Western Conference just behind the Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Arango has been ably supported by 21-year-old Colombian winger Carlos Gómez who netted the other goal in the convincing win. Add in the fact that RSL have conceded the joint fewest goals in MLS, and things are looking good for the side from Utah.

Three more standout performers

9.1 FotMob rating: Santi Rodríguez – New York City FC

Following a disappointing start to the season, New York City have started to turn things around.

They have 2-0 wins in their last two games, played at their two different homes in the Bronx and Queens. Both featured impressive displays from attacking midfielder Santi Rodríguez.

This week’s performance, against DC United, saw the Argentine designated player register a goal and an assist in a Man of the Match display.

So often this season New York City’s standout performer has been goalkeeper Matt Freese, which gives an idea of the type of season they have had up to now, but attacking players stepping up is a promising sign for NYC and their head coach Nick Cushing.

9.1 FotMob rating: Robin Lod – Minnesota United

A goal from Tani Oluwaseyi in the first half lit this game up, as Minnesota ran out 3-0 winners away at Charlotte FC.

It was the 23-year-old Nigerian’s first MLS start, and he showed why he had been trusted by new head coach Eric Ramsay, finishing Lod’s cross with an outstanding half-volley.

Lod was part of everything good that Minnesota did. The cross for the opening goal was perfectly placed and perfectly weighted for Oluwaseyi to strike.

The Finnish attacking midfielder then added his team’s second following a nice team move, and assisted the third, via a corner for Hassani Dotson.

After some up-and-down results of late, this was a statement performance from the Loons and Lod was the standout player in it.

8.8 FotMob rating: Aidan Morris – Columbus Crew

The 22-year-old American has thrived under the coaching of Wilfried Nancy at Columbus Crew, and regularly puts in standout performances in midfield.

The Crew could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Portland Timbers this week, but Morris still impressed.

He finished the game having completed 78 out of 86 attempted passes for a pass success of 91%.

He made 106 actions in total during the game, including 14 passes into the final third, 10 defensive actions, and winning six out of six attempted tackles.

The assist for Steven Moreira’s wondergoal bumps up his rating, and he’ll be hoping to maintain this solid form going into the Concacaf Champions Cup semifianls against Monterrey this week.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 10

Our MLS expert James Nalton picks five of the standout players from Matchday 10 in Major League Soccer, including his two North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) Player of the Matchday votes.

By James Nalton

Inter Miami and LA Galaxy continue to throw caution to the wind, prioritising attack over defence, and continue to be rewarded for it, as both sit atop their respective conferences.

They are tied on 18 points at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings (the overall table combining both conferences) and boast some of the most entertaining attacking players in the league.

One of them makes the top two this week, but there were also some eye-catching displays elsewhere across the league in this tenth round of games.

The Top Two

9.4 FotMob rating: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami

Inter Miami have one of the worst defences in MLS. Only three teams in their Eastern Conference have conceded more so far this season. But when you have the most star-studded attack in the history of the league, those defensive frailties matter less.

Miami went 1-0 down early on against Nashville, and then almost 2-0 down as a Josh Bauer shot bounced on the line but not over it before Messi and Luis Suárez stepped up once again.

Messi saw a shot saved by Elliot Panicco but Suárez was following up and turned the ball back to his teammate who finished at the far post.

A Messi corner then set up Sergio Busquets to make it two and a first Messi penalty goal for Miami made it 3-1.

Drake Callender is playing his part in goal from Miami behind that leaky defence, but at the other end, this attack of Messi and Suárez could break MLS records in 2024.

9.4 FotMob rating: Cristian Arango – Real Salt Lake

Despite their heroics for Miami so far this season, neither Messi nor Suárez are top of the goalscoring charts at the start of 2024.

That status is currently held by Chicho Arango, who has played a big role in Real Salt Lake’s great start to the season. He scored twice and assisted another, for Diego Luna, in a 4-0 win at Chicago Fire which keeps RSL in the mix at the top of the Western Conference just behind the Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Arango has been ably supported by 21-year-old Colombian winger Carlos Gómez who netted the other goal in the convincing win. Add in the fact that RSL have conceded the joint fewest goals in MLS, and things are looking good for the side from Utah.

Three more standout performers

9.1 FotMob rating: Santi Rodríguez – New York City FC

Following a disappointing start to the season, New York City have started to turn things around.

They have 2-0 wins in their last two games, played at their two different homes in the Bronx and Queens. Both featured impressive displays from attacking midfielder Santi Rodríguez.

This week’s performance, against DC United, saw the Argentine designated player register a goal and an assist in a Man of the Match display.

So often this season New York City’s standout performer has been goalkeeper Matt Freese, which gives an idea of the type of season they have had up to now, but attacking players stepping up is a promising sign for NYC and their head coach Nick Cushing.

9.1 FotMob rating: Robin Lod – Minnesota United

A goal from Tani Oluwaseyi in the first half lit this game up, as Minnesota ran out 3-0 winners away at Charlotte FC.

It was the 23-year-old Nigerian’s first MLS start, and he showed why he had been trusted by new head coach Eric Ramsay, finishing Lod’s cross with an outstanding half-volley.

Lod was part of everything good that Minnesota did. The cross for the opening goal was perfectly placed and perfectly weighted for Oluwaseyi to strike.

The Finnish attacking midfielder then added his team’s second following a nice team move, and assisted the third, via a corner for Hassani Dotson.

After some up-and-down results of late, this was a statement performance from the Loons and Lod was the standout player in it.

8.8 FotMob rating: Aidan Morris – Columbus Crew

The 22-year-old American has thrived under the coaching of Wilfried Nancy at Columbus Crew, and regularly puts in standout performances in midfield.

The Crew could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Portland Timbers this week, but Morris still impressed.

He finished the game having completed 78 out of 86 attempted passes for a pass success of 91%.

He made 106 actions in total during the game, including 14 passes into the final third, 10 defensive actions, and winning six out of six attempted tackles.

The assist for Steven Moreira’s wondergoal bumps up his rating, and he’ll be hoping to maintain this solid form going into the Concacaf Champions Cup semifianls against Monterrey this week.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.