By Favian Renkel and Justin Ruderman
Welcome back to Week 26 of Justin and Favian’s Weekly MLS Awards where SBI staff writers Justin Ruderman and Favian Renkel bring you a glimpse at the best of each week in MLS.
Double the Matchday equals double the fun, especially this late in the season.
Here is a closer look at the action:
Player of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Evander (Portland Timbers)
We have a new MLS MVP favorite!
Despite Portland Timbers continuing to fight for a playoff spot, their star playmaker has become the top goal contributor in MLS with three goals and an assist to push his season totals to 15 goals and 18 assists. In turn, his head coach Phil Neville called him the best No. 10 in MLS as he became the first Timber in club history to record a goal contribution in 11 consecutive MLS games.
Spoiler: Evander also scored my goal of the week so this was an easy choice.
Favian Renkel: Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union)
When discussing MLS MVP dark horses, Daniel Gazdag might be a long shot, but with three goals in his last two games, he’s now just two goals shy of leader Christian Benteke, who has 19. Gazdag, one of the most lethal players in MLS, could quickly leapfrog the competition in the Golden Boot race. This Philadelphia Union offense is brimming with young talent, and a clinical finisher like Gazdag can capitalize, as he has in the last two matchdays, to make a strong push in the final four games of the season.
Young Player of the Week
JR: Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake)
Diego Luna may have only been a substitute for his first game this week but in Saturday’s game in Portland, Luna was the best player on the pitch (including Evander). In addition to his goal, Luna created a match-high five chances while making nine recoveries on the defensive end.
After placing tenth last season, it will be interesting to see how high Luna will find himself on the 22 under 22 list this…
Author : Favian Renkel
Publish date : 2024-09-24 10:40:27
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
The post Evander, Portland Timbers headline the Best of MLS for Week 26 first appeared on Foot & Soccer.
—-
Author : footsoccer
Publish date : 2024-09-24 12:36:47
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.