Welcome back to Week No. 17 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. We had some difficult decisions to make this week as each matchday provided enough drama and quality for the entire week. Snubs are inevitable.
Player of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)
2 games, 2 goals, 2 assists. The reigning MVP has done it again. Those numbers have somehow become commonplace for Lucho Acosta over the past couple of seasons but he had stiff competition for my POTW nomination this time around. Both Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernandez and FC Dallas’ Petar Musa scored four goals across two matches this week including a hat trick each yet neither could outdo the impact of Acosta. With all three recording four goal contributions, the difference was Acosta’s 100th-minute game-winning goal. That is the definition of a clutch performance in Cincinnati’s thrilling 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Union. The goal could’ve earned a GOTW nomination on its own. As well After the match, Acosta described himself by saying, “I’m like wine. The older I get, the better it is.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Favian Renkel: Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew)
Scoring three goals always garners a player some consideration for this SBI nomination. Finally, a nod for Cucho Hernandez to win Player of the Week. The Colombian is easily one of the best players in the league, yet he hasn’t fully realized his potential this season in MLS due to injuries and suspensions. The Columbus Crew completely dominated SKC in this past matchday, and Cucho Hernandez sliced through the opposition like a hot knife through butter. The 25-year-old took 5 shots, 3 of which found the back of the net. Cucho also made history with this performance. He joins John Sterns as one of only two players to score 18 goals in their last 20 season games for the Crew.
Young Player of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Mateusz Bogusz (LAFC)
Is there anybody in MLS who is in better form than Mateusz Bogusz? Matching my POTW nomination, my YPOTW nomination also scored two goals and provided two assists over his two matches this week. The only difference is that Bogusz earned his team four points to Acosta’s three. Perhaps he should’ve been POTW! More importantly, Bogusz’s two assists were for Kei Kamara’s record-tying and record-beaking goals. In turn, Bogusz has directly contributed to at least one goal in each of his last eight MLS matches. It’s no coincidence that LAFC is on a club-record eight-match unbeaten streak in league play during that run. I would be surprised if the Black and Gold are able to hold onto their Polish midfielder through the upcoming summer window with the form he’s in. Based on his country’s performance at the European Championships, he should’ve been in that squad as well. Somehow, he hasn’t even received a phone call.
Favian Renkel: Diego Luna (RSL)
From serving up coffee orders at Dutch Bros to serving up assists on the field, there is nothing Diego Luna can not do. Luna is quickly becoming the face of the RSL franchise at a remarkably young age. “Moon Boy” has had a strong start to the season, and this matchweek was no exception. Playing only 62 minutes, Luna provided Real Salt Lake with two assists to help the Monarchy claim all three points from their encounter with Sporting Kansas City. Luna is now just one assist away from reaching 10 assists for the first time in his career, with about 15 games left in this long MLS season. The 20-year-old is definitely rising this season, and the nickname “Moon Boy” isn’t far off from where he will land.
Goal of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)
We witnessed some fantastic goals this week yet my GOTW was still an easy choice because Thiago Almada’s solo goal against DC United gave me flashbacks of another Argentinian #10 in MLS. Beginning pinned to the touchline, Almada made one of Major League Soccer’s most experienced midfielders – Mateusz Klich – look like he didn’t exist. The Argentinian floated into the middle of the pitch before splitting Klich and Matti Peltola as he turned his run toward goal. With Klich continuing to chase Almada like a cat chasing its tail, the 23-year-old unleashed a thunderbolt from the top of the box which might’ve won GOTW without being preceded by a mazy run through DC’s defense. Goals don’t get much better. I forgot to mention, Almada’s wonder strike was also the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory away from home. Treasure him while he’s still in MLS because it won’t be for long.
Favian Renkel: Luca Orellano (FC Cincinnati)
Here at SBI Soccer, we love our worldies, and Luca Orellano’s long shot from 64 yards out is no exception. Orellano has quickly become one of the league’s most promising young players and might give Luis Suarez a run for his money for MLS Newcomer of the Year.
Team of the Week
Justin Ruderman: LA Galaxy
It was a perfect week for the LA Galaxy. Home and away, the Galaxy earned all six points in their two matches by scoring three goals and conceding none. Their opponents weren’t easy either. At home, they battled for a hard-fought 2-0 win against a dangerous NYCFC team before heading out on the road to face the top team in the Western Conference – at least they were before the Galaxy got done with them. The Galaxy shut down Real Salt Lake in their building and walked out with a 1-0 victory courtesy of an in-form Gabriel Pec to put themselves level on 37 points atop the West with RSL and LAFC. Most impressive? They did it all without their best player, Riqui Puig.
Favian Renkel: Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC might just be one of the most overperforming teams ever in MLS. Despite having no Designated Players on their roster, they’re comfortably sitting in 4th place in the Eastern Conference, two points above the reigning champions, Columbus Crew. Dean Smith has these players defending as if their lives—or at least a case of wine—depend on it. At the beginning of the season, Smith promised the defenders and goalkeepers that a clean sheet would earn them a case of wine. With his love for wine and passion for winning, Dean Smith has created the perfect blend, inspiring his team to fight tooth and nail for their coach. This past week, Charlotte FC secured a point against Orlando City despite a red card and then defeated the Philadelphia Union 2-0, extending their unbeaten streak to four games. Sir Minty would be proud to see that Charlotte FC boasts one of the best defenses in a league that features stars like Christian Benteke, Chicho Arango, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi—an incredible feat indeed.
Best Thing We Saw This Week
Justin Ruderman: Record-breaker Kei Kamara
On Wednesday, Kei Kamara tied MLS MVP namesake Landon Donovan as the second-highest goalscorer in league history with a towering back post header for the 145th of his MLS career. That would’ve been the best thing I saw this week on its own, but Kamara wasn’t done. Following up on his first MLS goal in Black and Gold on Wednesday, Kamara broke the LA Galaxy legend’s record as an LAFC player on Saturday. Again, it was a towering back post header in classic Kamara fashion. Adding a little personal touch, Favian was in attendance in Austin to witness the record-tying goal while I was in attendance in Los Angeles to witness the record-breaking goal. Speaking to Kamara about his incredible career journey after breaking the record only cemented the significance of this moment.
Favian Renkel: Record-breaking MLS attendance
MLS growing is what we are…
