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The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 11

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Our MLS expert James Nalton picks five of the standout players from Matchday 11 in Major League Soccer, including his two North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) Player of the Matchday votes.

By James Nalton

At times it can feel like there is the Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, side of Major League Soccer, and the rest is somewhat separate.

But beneath the Messi hype and the understandable frenzy surrounding his presence in the league, there are plenty of storylines and other standout performances.

This week, though, Messi looks set to win his second MLS Player of the Matchday award of the ten which will have been awarded so far following a standout performance in front of a huge crowd in New England.

He gets my No. 1 vote as the standout player of the week for the first time this season.

The Top Two

9.4 FotMob rating: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami

New England Revolution broke their home attendance record as Messi and Miami came to town.

A total of 65,612 spectators packed into the Gillette Stadium – also home to NFL side New England Patriots — to witness a 4-1 defeat for the home team. But the majority of those in attendance will have been there to see Messi, and they weren’t disappointed.

He scored once in each half, cancelling out Tomas Chancalay’s first-minute opener for the Revs. Messi’s second was assisted by Sergio Busquets who played a scything through-ball through the New England team.

Messi also played a part in Miami’s other goals. His shot was saved by Henrich Ravas but Benjamin Cremaschi put in the rebound, and he then set up Luis Suárez for an excellent fourth.

New England will be disappointed to not have performed well in front of such a big crowd, and they are now at the bottom of the overall standings, but Inter Miami’s attack currently looks unstoppable.

9.1 FotMob rating: Christian Benteke, DC United

A Benteke brace helped DC United to their first win in four games, taking advantage of a Stefan Frei sending-off to win 2-1 against Seattle Sounders.

The goals took the Belgian striker to eight for the season so far, putting him just one behind Messi in the Golden Boot standings.

Benteke’s first goal was scored from the penalty spot following the incident that saw Frei sent off. He fired it into the top corner with aplomb.

The other side of his finishing prowess was on show for the second as Aaron Herrera hung a cross to the far post and Benteke powered in the header.

He looks set to keep pace with Messi, and Cristian Arango of Real Salt Lake, at the top of the scoring charts.

Three more standout performers

8.9 FotMob rating: Timothy Tillman – LAFC

It’s not been the best start to the season for Los Angeles FC, but despite that they are still just three points off top spot in the West.

A 3-2 win against Portland Timbers sees them unbeaten in four, with two wins and two draws. Things might be looking up, and Tillman stood out in this particular win.

He drove through midfield, carrying the ball towards the Portland back line before releasing Denis Bouanga who scored a dinked finish, but the goal was disallowed for an unfortunate handball in the buildup.

Tillman is always lurking on the edge of the area, making runs from midfield in case there is a goal to be scored. And he arrived at just the right moment to net LAFC’s second, steering one low into the far corner from just outside the area.

Bouanga is the star of this side but Tillman could be just as important to making sure their form continues to trend in the right direction.

8.8 FotMob rating: Luciano Acosta – FC Cincinnati

Last year’s MLS MVP might be overshadowed by another Argentine No. 10 this season, but he’s still putting in notable performances on a weekly basis.

The latest came in FC Cincinnati’s 2-1 against Colorado Rapids, during which Acosta created a total of nine chances for his team.

Despite that, there was no assist to his name by the end of it, but there was a goal, set up via a one-two with Corey Baird.

Baird also had an excellent game, netting his side’s other goal in the win with a nice chip over the goalkeeper from Luca Orellano’s pass.

Acosta is the fulcrum of this team, though, and looks set to be challenging for the MVP award once again in 2024, which is good news for Cincinnati.

8.4 FotMob rating: Jádar Obrian – Austin FC

Colombian forward Obrian contributed two great plays to help Austin FC see off one of the top teams in the West so far this season, LA Galaxy.

Obrian’s assist for the opener followed by a goal of his own gave Austin a 2-0 win.

He was part of the one-two for Diego Rubio to make it 1-0 playing a great pass to his teammate through the legs of a defender. Then his own finish was crisp and precise following a long ball behind the defence from Alex Ring. Obrian looked up for the goalkeeper’s position and placed it in the far corner, off the post.

These are the kind of moments that win games, and Austin have now won four of their last five, having won none of their first five.

(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 11

Our MLS expert James Nalton picks five of the standout players from Matchday 11 in Major League Soccer, including his two North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) Player of the Matchday votes.

By James Nalton

At times it can feel like there is the Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, side of Major League Soccer, and the rest is somewhat separate.

But beneath the Messi hype and the understandable frenzy surrounding his presence in the league, there are plenty of storylines and other standout performances.

This week, though, Messi looks set to win his second MLS Player of the Matchday award of the ten which will have been awarded so far following a standout performance in front of a huge crowd in New England.

He gets my No. 1 vote as the standout player of the week for the first time this season.

The Top Two

9.4 FotMob rating: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami

New England Revolution broke their home attendance record as Messi and Miami came to town.

A total of 65,612 spectators packed into the Gillette Stadium – also home to NFL side New England Patriots — to witness a 4-1 defeat for the home team. But the majority of those in attendance will have been there to see Messi, and they weren’t disappointed.

He scored once in each half, cancelling out Tomas Chancalay’s first-minute opener for the Revs. Messi’s second was assisted by Sergio Busquets who played a scything through-ball through the New England team.

Messi also played a part in Miami’s other goals. His shot was saved by Henrich Ravas but Benjamin Cremaschi put in the rebound, and he then set up Luis Suárez for an excellent fourth.

New England will be disappointed to not have performed well in front of such a big crowd, and they are now at the bottom of the overall standings, but Inter Miami’s attack currently looks unstoppable.

9.1 FotMob rating: Christian Benteke, DC United

A Benteke brace helped DC United to their first win in four games, taking advantage of a Stefan Frei sending-off to win 2-1 against Seattle Sounders.

The goals took the Belgian striker to eight for the season so far, putting him just one behind Messi in the Golden Boot standings.

Benteke’s first goal was scored from the penalty spot following the incident that saw Frei sent off. He fired it into the top corner with aplomb.

The other side of his finishing prowess was on show for the second as Aaron Herrera hung a cross to the far post and Benteke powered in the header.

He looks set to keep pace with Messi, and Cristian Arango of Real Salt Lake, at the top of the scoring charts.

Three more standout performers

8.9 FotMob rating: Timothy Tillman – LAFC

It’s not been the best start to the season for Los Angeles FC, but despite that they are still just three points off top spot in the West.

A 3-2 win against Portland Timbers sees them unbeaten in four, with two wins and two draws. Things might be looking up, and Tillman stood out in this particular win.

He drove through midfield, carrying the ball towards the Portland back line before releasing Denis Bouanga who scored a dinked finish, but the goal was disallowed for an unfortunate handball in the buildup.

Tillman is always lurking on the edge of the area, making runs from midfield in case there is a goal to be scored. And he arrived at just the right moment to net LAFC’s second, steering one low into the far corner from just outside the area.

Bouanga is the star of this side but Tillman could be just as important to making sure their form continues to trend in the right direction.

8.8 FotMob rating: Luciano Acosta – FC Cincinnati

Last year’s MLS MVP might be overshadowed by another Argentine No. 10 this season, but he’s still putting in notable performances on a weekly basis.

The latest came in FC Cincinnati’s 2-1 against Colorado Rapids, during which Acosta created a total of nine chances for his team.

Despite that, there was no assist to his name by the end of it, but there was a goal, set up via a one-two with Corey Baird.

Baird also had an excellent game, netting his side’s other goal in the win with a nice chip over the goalkeeper from Luca Orellano’s pass.

Acosta is the fulcrum of this team, though, and looks set to be challenging for the MVP award once again in 2024, which is good news for Cincinnati.

8.4 FotMob rating: Jádar Obrian – Austin FC

Colombian forward Obrian contributed two great plays to help Austin FC see off one of the top teams in the West so far this season, LA Galaxy.

Obrian’s assist for the opener followed by a goal of his own gave Austin a 2-0 win.

He was part of the one-two for Diego Rubio to make it 1-0 playing a great pass to his teammate through the legs of a defender. Then his own finish was crisp and precise following a long ball behind the defence from Alex Ring. Obrian looked up for the goalkeeper’s position and placed it in the far corner, off the post.

These are the kind of moments that win games, and Austin have now won four of their last five, having won none of their first five.

(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.