Matchday thirteen in MLS feature many astonishing results across the league. Eleven games between Sunday and Thursday saw the likes of expansion clubs Minnesota United and Atlanta United earn crucial home victories over tough visiting rivals. Elsewhere, in the league, Toronto Football Club cruised past the visiting Columbus Crew Sc, while Philadelphia Union were tripped-up on the road against a potent Real Salt Lake team.
Football Club of Dallas was the only team who played out twice during the week, gaining just one point through two games. Here's my own compilation of MLS most deserving players, team and goal of week thirteen.
The Best rookie of week 13
In his 5th appearance of the 2017 season, defender Kortne Ford scored the winning goal in Colorado Rapids 1-0 triumph over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night. The young defender clinically headed-home midfielder Shklezen Gashi's lofty cross eleven minutes into the encounter at the Dicks Sporting Good Park Field, while helping to hold-on to a clean-sheet that ultimately sent Pablo Mastroeni and his group on their way to a vital three-points away from home. This week, 21 year old defender Kortne Ford earns my Rookie of the Week honor.
Most performed player of the week
Paraguayan international forward Miguel Almiron continued his recent red-hot form with a brace in Atlanta's 3-1 home triumph over a resilient New York City FC side at the Bobby Dodd Stadium.
The 23 year old striker notched a hat trick in Week twelve against the Houston Dynamo, and was able to increase his goals tally on Sunday. So far, the forward now has a total of seven-goals this term, as he continues to show no sign of slowing-down. As a result of my own estimation, Miguel Almiron earns the recognition of the Player of the Week.
Goal of the Week
Not like the previous week, Matchday thirteen apparently did not feature several “mouth watering” goals. However, Real Salt Lake talisman Joao Plata scored his first-goal of the 2017 season, which actually proved to be the winning goal against Philadelphia Union. The 25-year old Ecuadorian international played a brilliant one two touches with midfielder Jefferson Savarino, who hit Plata in “stride” for a finish.
For this brilliant effort, Joao Plata's goal earns the Goal of the Week.
Team of the Week
Toronto Football Club earned the recognition of the Team of the Week thirteen after their 5-0 trouncing over Columbus Crew SC. After battling for a point at Red Bulls a week ago, Greg Vanney's tutored lads ended the month undefeated. Without both Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco, TFC took advantage of a brace from marksman Victor Vazquez, while Justin Morrow, Jonathan Osorio and Jordan Hamilton added to the score sheet. With this stellar performance, Toronto FC obviously earns the Team of the Week honor.