MLS Team of the Week unveils surprising picks after decisive performances

The MLS Team of the Week has been announced, highlighting unexpected but impactful players from the recent matches. Notably, no LA Galaxy players were included.

Following Week 35 of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, the league announced the Team of the Week on Monday.

Surprisingly, players like Lionel Messi, Denis Bouanga, Christian Benteke, and Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernandez appear among the substitutes. Although these players were important for their teams, other individuals were key in helping their franchises secure vital points on the road to the Playoffs.

All the aforementioned stars played crucial roles in Week 35. Messi helped Inter Miami avoid a defeat against Charlotte FC (1-1) at Chase Stadium, Bouanga secured LAFC's win (1-2) in a tough visit to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium, Benteke scored a brace against Columbus Crew, and Cucho Hernandez contributed to a draw against DC United (2-2). However, other performances outshone them.

In the attack of the Team of the Week, we find Josef Martinez, Alonso Martinez, and Kelvin Yeboah. The Venezuelan forward scored a brace during CF Montreal’s commanding 3-0 victory over SJ Earthquakes, the Costa Rican also netted two goals in NYCFC's emphatic 1-5 thrashing of New York Red Bulls, and finally, the Ghanaian-born Italian did the same in Minnesota United’s comfortable 3-0 win against Colorado Rapids.

MLS Team of the Week unveils surprising picks after decisive performances

In midfield, players like Cedric Teuchert (St. Louis City), Maxi Moralez (NYCFC), Lewis O’Brien (LAFC), and Ramiro Enrique (Orlando City) are featured.

Teuchert had a goal and two assists against Sporting KC (3-1), Moralez scored and assisted against NYRB (1-5), O’Brien provided an assist in the win over FC Cincinnati (1-2), and Enrique contributed with a goal and assist in Orlando’s 1-3 victory against FC Dallas.

Other players in the Week 35 starting XI include Rodrigo Schlegel, Yeimar Gomez, Tayvon Gray, and Aljaz Ivacic. The Uruguayan defender scored against FC Dallas and helped secure the clean sheet, the Colombian center-back contributed to Seattle Sounders' shutout against Houston Dynamo (1-0), and the American-Jamaican defender capped off NYCFC's rout over NYRB.

As for the New England Revolution goalkeeper, he was instrumental in their 1-0 win over Nashville SC at Gillette Stadium. Ivacic made four saves, three of which were inside his area, and completed 5/8 long passes.

Notably, no LA Galaxy players are in the starting lineup or on the bench, despite the team having the best attack and defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 4-2 in the latest matchday.

Week 36 of the 2024 MLS season kicks off this Wednesday.