Columbus Crew’s Ashley Westwood shines in Week 20 MLS matches

Welcome back to Week No. 20 of Justin and Favian’s Weekly MLS Awards

This week, four of the top-five teams suffered defeat while Inter Miami sat on the couch smiling ear to ear during their bye week.

Justin Ruderman: Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC)

Nearly single-handedly, Ashley Westwood took down the reigning Supporters’ Shield champions in their home with a hat trick of assists in a 3-1 victory. It doesn’t get much better than that. The first assist was the best assist with Westwood dropping a dime like hitting a pot of gold with a rainbow for Iuri Tavares to give Charlotte the lead. Just two minutes later, the second came from a clever throughball to Leil Abada with the third clinching the win in the 66th minute from a corner. Most incredible? Those were his first three assists of the season. Charlotte’s captain earns attention for his defensive work in The Crown’s midfield (and rightly so) but he is crucial to every part of Dean Smith’s game model from defending and control in the middle of the park to chance creation and goalscoring. There are many players in MLS who often don’t get the credit or recognition they deserve and despite being the clear leader of this Charlotte side on and off the pitch, I still feel Westwood deserves more plaudits than he receives.

Favian Renkel: Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew)

Have you ever seen an 18-year-old play like a seasoned MLS veteran? Enter Obed Vargas. With a fresh call-up to the USA Olympic squad, a semifinal berth in the US Open Cup, and his sixth assist of the MLS season, it’s safe to say he’s had a pretty good week for an 18-year-old. Vargas has been getting playing time with the Seattle Sounders since he debuted at 15, and it shows. The third-youngest MLS player to ever make a start is becoming a difference-maker in Seattle this season, with over 19 games started and 7 goal contributions. The league is starting to notice something they have been seeing the last three season in Seattle. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer recently lauded Vargas, saying, “The kid’s got a super high ceiling. I don’t know where he’s going to end up, but he’s got a super high ceiling.” As an 18-year-old making his mark in MLS, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Justin Ruderman: Deandre Kerr (Toronto FC)

Entering Matchday 26, Toronto FC was at “rock bottom” as described by head coach John Herdman after going winless in their last ten matches (eight losses) including a midweek defeat to Canadian Premier League side Forge FC in the first leg of their Canadian Championship tie. Hosting a slumping Philadelphia Union side looked to be their escape ticket, but by halftime TFC was trailing again, headed for whatever is below rock bottom. That is, until Deandre Kerr entered the match. Coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute, Kerr made an immediate impact to find the Toronto equalizer. He won’t be credited with the goal for connecting with Jahkele Marshall-Rutty’s headed cross but his attempt at doing so forced Jack Elliott to throw himself at the body in a defensive effort, leading to an own goal for the Philadelphia defender. Not to worry, Kerr was simply saving his first goal of the season for the game-winner. As the Union gave the ball away to Deybi Flores in their defensive half, who one-timed his pass to Lorenzo Insigne, Philadelphia was at sixes and sevens at the back. Kerr capitalized with a textbook diagonal run, fed by Insigne for a first-time, game-winnning finish. The Toronto losing streak is finally over.

Favian Renkel: Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders)

Despite FC Cincinnati losing 3-1 to Charlotte FC while being at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Lucho’s assist is the only bright spot for Queen City supporters. Take a look for yourself at the reigning MVP’s goal.

Justin Ruderman: Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew)

Look up the definition of jaw-dropping in Miriam Webster’s Dictionary and you will see a clip of Cucho Hernández’s golazo against LAFC on Saturday. World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was frozen in place as Cucho guided a looping strike over the Frenchman’s head into the top corner.

Favian Renkel: Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnnati)

Luciano Acosta makes a stellar one-time finish that curls past the goalkeeper, making it look routine. He’s that guy. FC Cincinnati losing 3-1 to Charlotte FC while being at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Lucho’s assist is the only bright spot for Queen City supporters.

Justin Ruderman: Columbus Crew

Of the 100 picks I’ve made across twenty weeks of this series, this is the easiest one yet. The MLS Cup rematch in Los Angeles quickly turned into a mismatch in the second half as the Columbus Crew tacked on goal after goal to remind LAFC who the reigning champions are in a 5-1 demolition job. Although four of the five goals came in the second half, Crew were dominant across the board from minute one. Just as he did in MLS Cup, Steven Moreira put his good friend Denis Bouanga in his pocket for the evening while wing-back Max Arfsten created constant danger down the flank, bagging an assist which should’ve been two. Diego Rossi scored his first goal against his former team while Christian Ramirez bagged a brace for his fourth goal in as many games against his former employer. As mentioned above, Cucho Hernández put the cherry on top by scoring the Goal of the Week as well. Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy on vacant #USMNT job,”I don’t talk about rumors, simple as that. Like I said, I am limitless. I want to be limitless so the idea is to push myself, to challenge myself, but…”