MLS Week 22 Best XI: Josef Martínez closes in on the record books | OneFootball

Icon: OneFootball

OneFootball

Blaise Bourgeois·1 August 2018

MLS Week 22 Best XI: Josef Martínez closes in on the record books

Article image:MLS Week 22 Best XI: Josef Martínez closes in on the record books

Josef Martínez is now just one goal from tying the all-time MLS record for goals in a season with 10 matches left to play.

The 22-year-old record is about to be smashed so long as Martínez stays healthy. Knock on wood.


OneFootball Videos


Meanwhile, Portland had one of their most comprehensive victories, as they defeated Philadelphia 3-0 at home for their 15th straight result in a row, four shy of matching the all-time MLS record.

Here’s who we liked in week 22.

Goalkeeper

Evan Bush (Montreal Impact)

Bush made the best saves of the week and allowed Montreal to earn a vital point to keep them in the post-season places with 10 matches to play.

Defenders

Edgar Castillo (Colorado Rapids)

The 31-year-old midfielder, had a stellar performance on both ends of the pitch as he recorded 37 successful passes, made eight recoveries and provided the assist on Sam Nicholson’s game-winning goal in the 90th minute.

Ike Opara (Sporting Kansas City)

Opara led SKC to their eighth clean sheet of the season, their first shutout in nearly two months, as SKC won an important match to stay just six points behind Western Conference leaders FC Dallas.

Larrys Mabiala (Portland Timbers)

Mabiala dominated on both sides of the pitch, as he created plenty of offensive chances as Portland completely overmatched the Philadelphia Union, winning 3-0 for their 15th-straight result.

Midfielders

Damir Kreilach (Real Salt Lake)

Kreilach’s father showed up to his son’s game, and the Croatian only went on to score an essential brace to put RSL four points clear of seventh-placed Vancouver Whitecaps with 11 matches left for the final post-season berth in the Western Conference.

Joao Plata (Real Salt Lake)

Plata assisted on Kreilach’s match-winner as he brought his scoring total to six goals and four assists in 15 matches this season.

Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)

Valeri scored a goal, was taken down in the box for the Timber’s second, and provided the assist on the final one as Portland defeated P

Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders)

Alonso had one of his best all-around matches which helped Seattle continue their positive momentum, as the Sounders upset Minnesota 2-1 on the road and closed the post-season gap to just five points.

Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls)

Adams proved once again that he deservea a move out of MLS. The 19-year-old completed 55 of 70 passes, won seven of his eight duels, made four tackles and had three interceptions in RBNY’s 2-1 win over LAFC.

Forwards

Josef Martínez (Atlanta United)

Martínez has to return to Europe after two unbelievable seasons in Major League Soccer. The former Torino product has scored more than a goal-per-game in his MLS career, as he’s scored 45 goals in 44 matches. His latest brace against Toronto FC is the latest proof that he is probably the best player in MLS.

Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)

Giovinco put on one of his best performances of the season (one goal, one assist) as TFC as he helped the defending champions get back in the post-season hunt with a valuable point against Eastern Conference leaders Atlanta United.

The former Juventus star has seven goals and 11 assists on the year.