Welcome Back to Week Two 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. Rivalry week, well kind of, right?
Here is a closer look at this past weekend’s standout performers and teams:
Player of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Luis Suárez
Two goals. Two assists. Doubters shut up.
On Saturday, Luis Suárez reminded everyone why he won the Golden Ball in Brazil last season. He is not an old, washed-up striker. He is an old, legendary striker who has still got it. El Pistolero also showed a growing partnership with teammates other than Lionel Messi, indicating a quick adjustment to his new surroundings. Before assisting his longtime friend on Inter Miami’s final goal of the day, Suárez had already finished off two chances created by Julian Gressel, and provided an assist himself to Robert Taylor.
If Suárez performs anywhere near this level for the remainder of the season – which there is no reason to believe he won’t – there’s no limit to what the Herons can achieve.
Favian Renkel: Luis Suarez
You thought we were going to choose two different players, huh? When you score two bangers in a derby, silence all the critics, and then talk about it postgame saying, “I’m very used to it,” you deserve to be the unanimous player of the week.
Luis Suarez didn’t have time to listen to the haters this weekend after the Orlando City match; he was caught on camera jumping up and down, celebrating Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonella’s birthday. With two shots and two goals, Suarez felt confident after the games and announced to the world in a video that his knees no longer hurt. All I know is expect this Inter Miami team to keep on winning and to keep on partying if Suarez keeps up this style of play and form.
With two goals this season, Suarez has now officially joined the MLS Golden Boot race. Amazingly, he is also leading MLS in assists per 90 minutes. Could it be possible that Luis Suarez ends up stealing the MVP award from Lionel Messi himself? Receiving a Team of the Matchweek award later, it’s still surprising to see one of the generation’s best strikers in MLS.
Young Player of the Week
JR: Andrés Gómez
Andrés Gómez would be playing in a snowstorm every week if it was up to Pablo Mastroeni. Gómez grew up in the sunshine of Quibdó, Colombia but it was in the snow of Sandy, Utah that the 21-year-old had his breakout game for RSL. Gómez scored twice as many goals on Saturday against LAFC than he did in the entire league season last year, and tacked on an assist for good measure in his team’s 3-0 win.
When he arrived at RSL to begin last season, Gómez was the club-record transfer with a reported $4 million fee. It was an adjustment for the youngster who doesn’t speak English and RSL quickly broke his transfer record by signing Chicho Arango for a reported $6m. This season, Gómez is a prime “David Gass theorem” candidate with the potential to have a breakout year in his second MLS season. He’s off to a fantastic start.
FR: Max Arfsten
Max Arfsten will always be remembered as the first MLS NEXT Pro player to ever be drafted in the MLS Draft. That’s an MLS trivia question for the “sickos”.
A year later, Arfsten is an MLS Champion and is now contributing to a Wilfried Nancy side that’s dealing with injuries early this season. Arfsten was all over the match against Minnesota United; his name was being called throughout the match as Mo Farsi’s replacement. Arfsten was even credited with the hockey assist on Cucho Hernandez’s goal.
Arfsten’s move from San Jose Earthquakes II to the Columbus Crew should tell you all you need to know about him. Arfsten has the capabilities to easily become an MLS starter, as he displayed this past weekend. With Julian Gressel gone from the Black and Gold, Arfsten slots right into the role that was left void by the now Inter Miami player. Keep an eye out for the 22-year-old if you enjoy discovering new young talents in MLS or play Sorare. He could easily become a starter if Farsi leaves, as there have been rumors surrounding the player.
Goal of the Week
JR: Lorenzo Insigne
This is what we’ve been waiting to see from Lorenzo Insigne; pure class. Chipping a goalkeeper will always get you on the highlight reels, but Insigne took it to another level with his winning goal on Sunday. After the ball fell to him on a deflected shot from Federico Bernadeschi, Insigne saw that he was given too much time in the box and tried his luck from a tough angle.
What would be impossible to me or you, Insigne made look simple, floating his effort over Henrich Ravas and into the side netting. It was a goal that likely would’ve won the goal of the week when he was at Napoli in Serie A. Undoubtedly, it is the goal of the week in MLS as well.
FR: Joseph Paintsil
For his first MLS goal, Joseph Paintsil scored a beauty in a “Cali Clasico” with his left foot. Everyone at PayPal Park, upon seeing Paintsil’s first touch, knew it was going to be a long night. Paintsil was such a menace to the San Jose backline that he earns our honorary second place for player of the week.
From singing songs for his upcoming album to scoring bangers to silence the San Jose Earthquakes, Joseph Paintsil is going to be a delight to watch this MLS season.
Team of the Week
JR: Inter Miami
I mean, seriously, do I even have to explain this? Inter Miami defined the phrase “derby day demolition” on Saturday with a 5-0 thrashing of intrastate rivals Orlando City. Luis Suárez silenced the critics with a brace and two assists, Lionel Messi had a brace of his own, and Julian Gressel got involved in the fun as well with his two assists.
It was the first true warning shot from Messi’s Inter Miami in MLS play.
Orlando City was (and still is) seen as a genuine Supporters’ Shield contender yet Miami made them look like a JV squad. Doubters will continue to bring up age and potential injury concerns but there will be no more questions about what Miami can do at full strength. Watch out, MLS.
FR: LA Galaxy
This was the most impressive Cali Clasico win for the LA Galaxy in a long time as they looked like a whole new team with the changes they made this past offseason. Riqui Puig was receiving every single ball in midfield untouched, and it was off to the races with Paintsil sprinting forward. The sight of Puig delivering a beautiful, lofted pass to an extremely fast winger is something all Quakes fans dreamed of when Cade Cowell was still at the club. But now, with Cowell gone and no number 10 in sight, the Quakes have tons of problems in their roster, highlighted by getting stumped by Riqui Puig and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
This LA Galaxy team showed that they should currently be sitting at six points on the season due to an unjust second yellow being shown to Marky Delgado versus Inter Miami and look ready to win some silverware this season.
Best Thing We Saw This Week
JR: Ozzie Alonso signing a one-day contract
Ozzie Alonso is a Seattle Sounders legend and one of the greatest defensive midfielders in MLS history so it was only right that he retired a Sounder. On Thursday, Seattle ensured that became a reality by signing El Corazón to a one-day contract which would see him hang up his boots as a member of the Rave Green.
“I always wanted to retire as a Sounder,” Alonso said. “Being here today and having this opportunity to retire as a Sounder is one of the best days of my life.”
After defecting while on a trip to America with the Cuban national team in 2007, the then 21-year-old Alonso went on to win eight trophies with the Sounders, capped off by an MLS Cup in 2016. On Saturday, his kids led the “Scarves Up” tradition at Lumen Field in a moment that just felt right. Ozzie Alonso is officially retired now but he will remain a Sounder forever.
FR: New England Revolution’s New Tradition
What’s a better way to get casual American soccer fans talking about MLS than having a questionable pre-game tradition? The Revolution are no strangers to this type of marketing strategy. Last year, their tradition involved the mascot, Slyde, slashing the opponent’s name with some red paint near the end zone in the stadium. Several fans didn’t find that old tradition amusing either, often criticizing it with clips of the tradition going viral accompanied by facepalm emojis.
I mention the end zone because, as of 2024, they still play in the home of the New England Patriots, without a true soccer-specific stadium. I can see how it’s tough to create a special experience for the fans and get them excited about their team and soccer in the city. It was a great attempt, but the Revolution front office needs to step it up a bit in the next home game, perhaps by adding a little kiddie pool to throw the box of tea into.
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