Welcome back to Week 10 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. This Saturday saw Austin FC continue their revival in league action, the Houston Dynamo dig themselves into a hole in Copa Tejas, and the San Jose Earthquakes earn their first road point of the season while the Eastern Conference took over the Golden Boot race. Let’s start with that!
Player of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
I know, I know. This is getting repetitive and predictable. But what do you expect me to do? For the second game running, the boy from Rosario, Argentina bagged two goals and an assist to lead his team to a dominant victory. Even the goal for which Messi won’t be credited with a contribution, he played a part by taking a shot whose rebound Benjamin Cremaschi scored from. In the process, Messi retook the lead for the Golden Boot race with 9 goals in just 7 games this season. If he wasn’t already, he’s undoubtedly now the MVP frontrunner as well with 4 assists (7 including secondary assists) to go along with his league-leading goal tally. In addition, since MLS officially counts secondary assists Messi became the first player in league history to record multiple goal contributions in five consecutive games. Oh yeah, his team is also top of the league. Another day, another masterclass!
Favian Renkel: Christian Benteke (D.C. United)
Just like in week one, Christian Benteke and Lionel Messi are our picks for Player of the Week. Both of these players were once again instrumental in securing a win this past weekend. With five goal contributions in the last five games, Benteke has been on a tear. The Belgian is one of the best, if not the best, strikers with the ball in the air. Every single cross, every single set piece, DC United’s superstar is the most dangerous person on the pitch. We saw that this weekend against the struggling Seattle Sounders when Benteke put two past them. What made these two goals even more special is that Benteke reenacted some famous LeBron “King” James celebrations, which I will get to later. Benteke is taking a team that isn’t expected to be a playoff team under the first year of their new head coach Troy Lesesne into a prime playoff position in a heavily contested Eastern Conference. Let’s see if Benteke’s form can hold up and if United stays in the playoffs as the season rolls on.
Young Player of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire)
Chris Brady was so good on Saturday in Chicago that I can’t tell you which was his best save of the game. Perhaps it was in the 31st minute when he made a diving save to stop Saba Lobzhanidze’s point-blank header from ending up in the bottom corner. Maybe Brady tipping over Thiago Almada’s dipping free-kick over the bar with his fingertips to keep the game level in the 76th minute was more impressive. Or it could have been when the 20-year-old American secured the point for the Fire with another point-blank denial of a header in the 85th minute. Whichever you liked best, combined they earned a clean sheet and a point for Chicago at home against Atlanta United. The Fire have conceded the joint-most goals in the Eastern Conference this season (18) through 10 matches and will need Brady to continue finding himself on this YPOTW list if they are to be a playoff team this season. Should he do so, the young goalkeeper will also have his eyes set on an Olympic roster spot with the United States in Paris.
Favian Renkel: Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami)
Playing alongside Lionel Messi comes with perks, and if you take advantage of the situation you are in, it can truly be transformative. Benjamin Cremaschi has done just that, evolving from one of the most sought-after prospects in the United States to a league superstar— no easy feat for a 19-year-old. The USMNT midfielder has capitalized on the global attention on Inter Miami and has even secured a Ralph Lauren sponsorship deal. Yes, you read that correctly: an MLS player has a Ralph Lauren sponsorship deal. We have come a long way from MLS 1.0. Benjamin Cremaschi has been sidelined with a sports hernia for the last three months, but in his return to MLS action, the youngster found the back of the net with a rebound off a shot that blocked Messi’s opportunity to score his first hat trick in Inter Miami pink. When I say Cremaschi has chemistry with Lionel Messi, that’s an understatement. Take a look at this flick by Cremaschi that opens up the play for Messi to assist Suarez for the fourth goal in the match against the New England Revolution. What a beautiful and smart play from the wonder kid. This is a player that now healthy will be in the conversation for Young Player of the Year over here at SBI Soccer.
Goal of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Alex Katranis (Real Salt Lake)
Can you imagine what it would feel like to send your team to the top of the table with a volleyed last-minute winner? Alex Katranis doesn’t have to. Near the end of RSL’s hard-fought battle with the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park, the visitors earned a set piece just inside the Union half. Limited on time, the Utahns sent a cross into the box despite being heavily outnumbered. Jakob Glesnes easily cleared the incoming cross out of his box with a header. The clearance landed on the foot of Alex Katranis 25 yards out from goal who took a touch to control, allowing the ball one bounce to settle, and smashing a looping half-volley into the opposite side netting with his left foot. Cool as a cucumber, the 25-year-old Greek fullback celebrated by pushing his palms toward the floor and telling everyone to calm down. No worries, he was carrying the winner in his back pocket the whole time.
Favian Renkel: Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
Beautiful shot, game-winner, perfect celebration. It doesn’t get much better than this. LAFC is back, and they did it right in front of the home crowd at BMO Stadium. Only 3 points away from first place in the West, LAFC is starting to get hot at the right time and right back where they belong. Take a look at this goal; it will put a smile on your face.
Team of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Real Salt Lake
On the surface, this may seem a curious pick but nobody said TOTW nominations had to be pretty. If it was that simple, I’d pick the dominating victory by Inter Miami or the impressive win produced by LAFC. More deserving in my eyes however, Real Salt Lake earned my nomination by pushing themselves to the top of the Western Conference table in accomplishing something no team has done for over a year – beat the Philadelphia Union in an MLS game at Subaru Park. Sure, RSL was gifted the opening goal but they made no mistake about capitalizing on the opportunity. Playing mostly against the ball away from home, the Claret and Cobalt did their best to create problems with their press while remaining structured behind the ball. It was a game the Union had the better of at most times and when they found…
