Another week is in the books and the MLS Cup playoffs are competing.
It is at this time of the season where the teams need their very best players to step up. Whether you’re fighting for Supporters Shield or just to scratch the playoffs, difference makers, yes, they make all the difference.
So, looking back on week 19, who are the best individual artists in MLS? Let’s rank the top five.
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Jonathan Klinsmanns ??????? performance to help us get the #MINvLA victory ✨ pic.twitter.com/zmmD7h1zaL
– LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 15, 2021
It’s rare that even a goalkeeper is considered for one player a week, so trying to decide between two is just incredible.
Jonathan Klinsmann and Stefan Cleveland both made seven saves for their respective sides over the weekend, both defied the laws of physics at times to keep the ball out of the net, and both were a big reason behind Galaxy and Sounders took up three points respectively.
Klinsmann shades it almost because of his clean sheets, but this is so hard on Cleveland, which we hope feels nice and cozy in the ‘honorable mentions’ section.
RAUL RUIDIAZ? @RaulRuidiazM with a STUNNER to put @SoundersFC back on top! pic.twitter.com/QP2osBVFuX
– FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 16, 2021
There are some really iconic, club-defining strikers in this league and Raul Ruidiaz is definitely one of them.
The Peruvian steps up on the biggest occasions time and time again for the Sounders, and a Cascadia Cup match against the Portland Timbers is just one of them.
Sunday’s stay took him to eight goals in nine games against the Timbers – no other MLS side has felt his anger anymore. His first was particularly impressive, shooting home a free kick and leaving Aljaž Ivačič absolutely without a chance.
When a two-goal performance not only takes you to the top of the Golden Boot position, but also inspires a 6-2 competition of your closest rivals, it is truly an achievement worth a place in this top five.
This looks very simple, but it is definitely not. What pass from Maxi Moralez last night, he’s still a magician for #NYCFC ??
Good movement from Castellanos too … pic.twitter.com/kS8byT6W71
– Chris Smith ⚽✍️ (@ CJSmith91) August 15, 2021
Taty Castellanos can sometimes frustrate with a little wild ending, but when he’s on it he is on that.
Saturday night was one of those occasions, with the Argentine on his way home an exquisite delivery from compatriot Maxi Moralez before he shot home from the spot to leave the NYCFC a 2-0 victory over Inter Miami.
Of course, it did not end there. Castellanos made a monster effort for his team, made four tackles, three clearances and won three air duels.
In the absence of Heber, the Castellanos have gone beyond the NYCFC and they simply would not be second in the East (or enjoy this weekend’s win) without him.
Francisco Calvo was in huge defensive form for the fire. / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
‘A Chicago Fire midfielder above all that attacking talent ?!’, we hear you ask. Honestly, go back and see their invaluable and tough 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew this weekend and you will get it.
Calvo was an absolute wall at the back for Raphael Wicky’s men. If the crew tried to record in Gyasi Zarde’s feet, Costa Rica was there to catch up. If they went behind, he dropped. Hell, if they threw it down their throats, he swallowed it all and burped it back out the other end of the field.
By the time the final whistle blew, with several Fire players falling to the floor in exhaustion, Calvo had logged match-highs for won duels (4) and interceptions (5). In addition, he made six tackles and three clearances, completed three dribbles and created a chance.
It is a downright ridiculous state return and only adapted to what the eyes witnessed.
A monumental win that keeps the Fire’s too weak playoff jumps alive, all possible through a monumental effort from their captain.
CJ SAPONG EQUALIZES
His fifth goal in his last 6 starts and 7 goals a year for @ BigAfrika88! pic.twitter.com/0ZL5jH1RbH
– Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 15, 2021
CJ Sapong does not care how many DP forwards he has to keep on the bench in Nashville (there are two by the way), he will just keep doing what he always did: scoring goals.
The 32-year-old made two more during Nashville’s 5-2 crushing of DC United on Sunday, bringing his season total to eight in just 1,154 minutes.
But it was not just his goal that put Sapong so high on the list. He led the line brilliantly towards a much improved DCU team, stretched the defense with smart runs and created no less than three chances for his teammates.
Nashville continues to push hard in the east and instead of being inspired by Jhonder Cadiz or Ake Loba, Sapong is the one attacking the front – along with the brilliant Hany Mukhtar, of course.
Honorable mention: Stefan Cleveland, Fredy Montero, Alan Pulido, George Bello, Hany Mukhtar, Daniel Salloi, Josef Martinez, Lalas Abubakar, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Miles Robinson, Cole Bassett, Jimmy Medranda, Joao Paulo, Nathan.
