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The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 20

The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 20

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Major League Soccer expert James Nalton picks out five of the best players from the latest round of action and explains his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday.

By James Nalton

The Top Two

9.6 FotMob rating: Denis Bouanga, Los Angeles FC

After a stuttering start to the season, LAFC have stormed to the top end of the Western Conference, and are now just one point behind leaders Real Salt Lake with a game in hand.

A 3-1 win in Orlando this matchday gave them a sixth consecutive victory with Bouanga notching up six goals and four assists during the run.

He contributed to all three goals in this latest victory, scoring twice and assisting one for Mateusz Bogusz.

He won and scored the penalty to open the scoring before some more jinking running with the ball opened up the defence and saw him round the keeper to score his second.

LAFC and Bouanga are back on track in style for 2024.

9.5 FotMob rating: Yuya Kubo, FC Cincinatti

Kubo will deservedly take the headlines having scored a late hat-trick to give Cincinnati the win on the road against San Jose Earthquakes but, as is often the case for this team, Luciano Acosta also played a key role.

Kubo entered the field with 64 minutes played, going on to score in the 78th, 80th, and 87th minutes of the game to give his side a 4-2 win.

All six goals in this game were scored in the second half. When Cincinnati found themselves 2-1 down, Acosta and Kubo turned on the style.

The first two assists from Acosta to Kubo were magical, and the Japanese was on hand to finish well and score the all-important goals to win the game.

While many of the league’s best players are away on international duty at the Euros and the Copa America, Cincinnati retaining Acosta — the reigning MLS MVP — is a big bonus.

This could be the chance they need to overtake Inter Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference and in the overall Supporters’ Shield standings.

Three more standout performers

9.3 FotMob rating: Gabriel Pec, LA Galaxy

The Galaxy needed someone to step up against Sporting Kansas City this weekend as, for just the second time in the league this season, they were without talismanic midfielder Riqui Puig.

Gabriel Pec took it upon himself to be that player, playing a part in each of his side’s goals in a 4-2 win at home to Sporting Kansas City.

He was influential for the first goal, scored by Dejan Joveljić, despite not getting an assist for it, before going on to score one of his own and assist two further goals for Joseph Paintsil and Miguel Berry.

He finished the game having made 72 touches, created three chances, and with a pass success of 94% — which is impressive for such an attacking player.

8.9 FotMob rating: Ryan Gauld, Vancouver Whitecaps

Having missed out on a call-up to his national team for Euro 2024, Gauld showed Scotland what they are missing with two outstanding goals in a 3-2 defeat at New England Revolution.

The first was scored in a manner you might not expect from a 5-foot-6 attacking midfielder, headed in at an awkward angle a good distance away from goal from Javain Brown’s cross.

It was one of the best headed goals MLS will witness this season.

His second was more typical of the left-footed creator, but still stood out, fired in from well outside the box leaving goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič stood watching as it flew past him.

Vancouver didn’t get the result they wanted but still got a familiar, standout performance from Gauld.

8.6 FotMob rating: Maarten Paes – FC Dallas

It was a superb display between the posts from the FC Dallas goalkeeper, one of several he has produced already this season.

His eight saves helped his side to a 2-0 victory against a St Louis City team that created plenty of chances but couldn’t find a way past the Dutchman, who is also eligible for Indonesia and the United States at international level.

St. Louis had three big chances for an xG of 1,63, but Paes stopped it all. A few saves from Brazilian striker João Klauss were particular highlights.

“Thank you, Maarten!,” FC Dallas interim manager Peter Luccin said of Paes’ performance.

“He’s doing his job, but a very good job tonight. He was very focused all week and very vocal with the players. Next time let’s see if we can help him more.”

(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 20

Major League Soccer expert James Nalton picks out five of the best players from the latest round of action and explains his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday.

By James Nalton

The Top Two

9.6 FotMob rating: Denis Bouanga, Los Angeles FC

After a stuttering start to the season, LAFC have stormed to the top end of the Western Conference, and are now just one point behind leaders Real Salt Lake with a game in hand.

A 3-1 win in Orlando this matchday gave them a sixth consecutive victory with Bouanga notching up six goals and four assists during the run.

He contributed to all three goals in this latest victory, scoring twice and assisting one for Mateusz Bogusz.

He won and scored the penalty to open the scoring before some more jinking running with the ball opened up the defence and saw him round the keeper to score his second.

LAFC and Bouanga are back on track in style for 2024.

9.5 FotMob rating: Yuya Kubo, FC Cincinatti

Kubo will deservedly take the headlines having scored a late hat-trick to give Cincinnati the win on the road against San Jose Earthquakes but, as is often the case for this team, Luciano Acosta also played a key role.

Kubo entered the field with 64 minutes played, going on to score in the 78th, 80th, and 87th minutes of the game to give his side a 4-2 win.

All six goals in this game were scored in the second half. When Cincinnati found themselves 2-1 down, Acosta and Kubo turned on the style.

The first two assists from Acosta to Kubo were magical, and the Japanese was on hand to finish well and score the all-important goals to win the game.

While many of the league’s best players are away on international duty at the Euros and the Copa America, Cincinnati retaining Acosta — the reigning MLS MVP — is a big bonus.

This could be the chance they need to overtake Inter Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference and in the overall Supporters’ Shield standings.

Three more standout performers

9.3 FotMob rating: Gabriel Pec, LA Galaxy

The Galaxy needed someone to step up against Sporting Kansas City this weekend as, for just the second time in the league this season, they were without talismanic midfielder Riqui Puig.

Gabriel Pec took it upon himself to be that player, playing a part in each of his side’s goals in a 4-2 win at home to Sporting Kansas City.

He was influential for the first goal, scored by Dejan Joveljić, despite not getting an assist for it, before going on to score one of his own and assist two further goals for Joseph Paintsil and Miguel Berry.

He finished the game having made 72 touches, created three chances, and with a pass success of 94% — which is impressive for such an attacking player.

8.9 FotMob rating: Ryan Gauld, Vancouver Whitecaps

Having missed out on a call-up to his national team for Euro 2024, Gauld showed Scotland what they are missing with two outstanding goals in a 3-2 defeat at New England Revolution.

The first was scored in a manner you might not expect from a 5-foot-6 attacking midfielder, headed in at an awkward angle a good distance away from goal from Javain Brown’s cross.

It was one of the best headed goals MLS will witness this season.

His second was more typical of the left-footed creator, but still stood out, fired in from well outside the box leaving goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič stood watching as it flew past him.

Vancouver didn’t get the result they wanted but still got a familiar, standout performance from Gauld.

8.6 FotMob rating: Maarten Paes – FC Dallas

It was a superb display between the posts from the FC Dallas goalkeeper, one of several he has produced already this season.

His eight saves helped his side to a 2-0 victory against a St Louis City team that created plenty of chances but couldn’t find a way past the Dutchman, who is also eligible for Indonesia and the United States at international level.

St. Louis had three big chances for an xG of 1,63, but Paes stopped it all. A few saves from Brazilian striker João Klauss were particular highlights.

“Thank you, Maarten!,” FC Dallas interim manager Peter Luccin said of Paes’ performance.

“He’s doing his job, but a very good job tonight. He was very focused all week and very vocal with the players. Next time let’s see if we can help him more.”

(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.