The Union winger was the top performer in MLS in week 4, leading Philadelphia to a win and securing his place in Goal’s MLS Best XI
The international fixture period provided a break for more than half the teams in Major League Soccer, but it also delivered an opportunity for some other sides and reserve players to make the most of fresh opportunities.
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David Accam was one such player, making his first start of the 2019 MLS season a memorable one as he scored twice and set up a third to lead the Philadelphia Union to a 3-0 win against the Columbus Crew. The performance made Accam the top performer in MLS in Week 4, as he led a trio of Union players on this week’s Goal MLS Best XI.
FC Cincinnati’s impressive start to its inaugural season continued with the expansion side’s first road win, overcoming several player absences due to international duty. Los Angeles FC exacted a bit of revenge against Real Salt Lake, with Walker Zimmerman securing his place on this week’s Best XI with his stoppage-time wonder goal to down the visitors from Utah.
Here is a look at Goal’s picks for the best players in MLS Week 4:
Orlando City’s Brian Rowe made three saves and stayed active in his penalty area to help the Lions secure a rare road win at Red Bull Arena. The victory was also the first for Orlando City this season, and gave Rowe his first shutout of 2019.
FC Cincinnati’s Spencer Richey only made two saves in his team’s 2-0 win against New England, but it was an excellent back-to-back save sequence that helped keep the Revs off the board. Richey’s distribution also made him an effective factor for FCC, and earned him the Honorable Mention nod this week after being last week’s Best XI keeper.
Walker Zimmerman’s stunning game-winner in stoppage time helped LAFC knock off RSL, and secured his place in the Best XI. FC Cincinnati’s Forrest Lasso made his first MLS start a strong one, registering a game-high 11 clearances to secure the road shutout victory.
Lasso’s teammate Mathieu Deplagne is the lone repeat selection to the Goal MLS Best XI, putting on a solid shift at his natural right-back position after starring at left back a week ago. Ryan Hollingshead scored the winner to lead FC Dallas to a win against the Colorado Rapids.
The list of defenders earning Honorable Mention plaudits this week is a good one, with FC Dallas’ Matt Hedges and FC Cincinnati’s Nick Hagglund narrowly missing out on the Best XI. Orlando City’s Joao Moutinho also gets a mention after providing the winning assist in the Lions’ upset of the Red Bulls.
Sacha Kljestan returned to his old stomping grounds at Red Bull Arena and scored the lone goal in Orlando City’s big road win. His midfield partner Uri Rosell put in a ton of work to help neutralize the Red Bulls midfield. Philadelphia’s Alejandro Bedoya didn’t get on the scoreboard for the Union but was instrumental in the Union controlling the action against a previously-unbeaten Crew side.
The Best XI midfield selections weren’t easy this week, with Kenny Saief having down well enough for FC Cincinnati, Carlos Ascues narrowly missing out for Orlando City, and FC Dallas’ Paxton Pomykal almost secured his second nod in three weeks. LAFC’s Eduard Atuesta was strong in his team’s victory.
It was an emotional night for David Accam, who scored two goals and helped set up a third just days after the death of his father. The Ghanaian winger helped lead the Union to their first win of 2019, partnering with fellow Best XI selection Fafa Picault to break down the Columbus defense repeatedly.
Kekuta Manneh provided a memorable effort for FC Cincinnati, scoring a goal and setting up another to help the expansion team secure its first MLS road win.
The LAFC tandem of Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela merited Honorable Mention this week for their efforts in defeating Real Salt Lake, with the former finding the net for his side’s opener in the victory.