Mayra Madrigal
The MLS Week 18 team features the 11 players who had a better performance than the rest this weekend.
All players take the field with the intention of doing well, either to make a name for themselves or simply so that the team can achieve favorable results. And while everyone makes an effort to achieve it, only a few seem to have a touch of luck and deliver extraordinary performances.
Here’s a look at the 11 who make up the team of Week 18 of the MLS.
All Members of the MLS Team of the Week for Matchday 18
Goalkeeper: Andre Blake – Philadelphia Union
Goalkeeper Andre Blake delighted Philadelphia Union fans once again with great saves in the 0-0 draw against Columbus Crew. For the second consecutive match, he recorded an unbeaten record and is worthy of being part of the MLS Week 18 team.
Defense: Jon Gallagher – Austin FC
Austin FC‘s left back did a great job in his team’s 2-3 win over Colorado Rapids. The Irishman took advantage of the spaces given up by the opponents and provided two assists in the match.
Defense: Aaron Long – New York Red Bulls
Aaron Long, the New York Red Bulls defender, became the hero of the match against Sporting Kansas City, not only because of his defensive work, but also because he scored the winning goal.
Defense: Julián Araujo – LA Galaxy
Julián Araujo played all 90 minutes in the LA Galaxy’s 4-0 win over CF Montreal. In addition to performing his defensive duties to perfection, the defender was integrated into the offense and provided an assist.
Midfielder: Emanuel Reynoso – Minnesota United
Emanuel Reynoso once again had a great performance for Minnesota United. The midfielder scored a brace in midweek and as a result made it to the MLS Week 17 team. He repeated the feat over the weekend, but added an assist to his brace and is part of the MLS Week 18 Team of the Week.
Midfielder: Eryk Williamson – Portland Timbers
Eryk Williamson was pivotal in helping the Timbers overcome a 2-0 deficit to win a 2-2 draw. He came on as a second-half substitute and provided an assist for Jaroslaw Niezgoda to score the final goal of the game.
Midfielder: Andrés Cubas – Whitecaps FC
Paraguay’s Andrés Cubas scored the goal that gave the Vancouver Whitecaps a 1-0 win over LAFC. This was his first goal of the season.
Midfielder: Rayan Raveloson – LA Galaxy
Rayan Raveloson was key to the LA Galaxy’s 4-0 win over CF Montreal. He scored two goals, which were his first ones of the season, that now go along with the three assists he already had.
Forward: Benji Kikanovic – San Jose Earthquakes
Benji Kikanovic is making the most of the time he is given as a starter for the San Jose Earthquakes. In MLS Week 18, he scored both goals as his team defeated Chicago Fire, his first goals of the 2022 season.
Forward: Valentín Castellanos – New York City FC
Argentine Valentín Castellanos continues to be synonymous with goals in MLS. He scored two goals in New York City FC and Atlanta United’s 2-2 draw, and now has 10 goals recorded in the 2022 season so far, which places him in the top three scorers.
Forward: Taxiarchis Fountas – D.C-United
Undoubtedly, the figure of the MLS Week 18 team is the Greek Taxiarchis Fountas, who plays for D.C. United. The striker scored a hat trick in his team’s 3-5 win over Orlando City. He has a total of nine goals and three assists so far this season.
