Our Major League Soccer expert James Nalton picks the standout players from the latest round of games in MLS, including his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday.
By James Nalton
The Top Two
9.4 FotMob rating: Evander, Portland Timbers
It’s getting to that stage of the season where the MVP narrative really begins to take off in MLS.
Given more than 60% of teams qualify for the post-season and Inter Miami have the Supporters’ Shield more or less sewn up already, much of the interest revolves around individual accolades.
When it comes to such awards, Portland Timbers’ attacking attacking midfielder Evander is difficult to ignore.
In the Timbers’ 4-2 win at home to Western Conference leaders LA Galaxy, he bagged two goals and an assist, taking him to 14 of each so far in 2024.
The Brazilian currently has the highest average FotMob rating in MLS, at 8.11. He also has the most goals and assists combined with 28, putting him ahead of high-profile MLS names such as Denis Bouanga (25) and 2023 MVP Luciano Acosta (26).
Though these are individual awards, players in contention for them usually need to be backed up by a team performing at a high level. Portland sitting 8th in the Western Conference may work against Evander when the awards are decided.
But there is no doubt he has been one of the best players in the MLS this season, and he’ll certainly be in the conversation.
8.9 FotMob rating: Anderson Julio, Real Salt Lake
Cristian Arango and Diego Luna are usually the names in the spotlight for RSL, but with top scorer Arango suspended and Luna on the bench, Anderson Julio stepped up.
The Ecuadorian scored twice in his side’s 3-2 win against FC Dallas which saw them jump to second in the Western Conference ahead of LAFC.
He also won the penalty that led to the opening goal for RSL, converted by Brayan Vera.
It was Julio’s first goal that really lit up the game, scored from just inside the opposition half after he spotted FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes off his line.
His second goal was from much closer in, but it was still impressive — as much for the run to get in the right position as for the finish, as he got on the end of Dominik Marczuk’s cross to score from six yards out.
The striker really took his chance in his 11th MLS start of the season, and put RSL just five points behind Western Conference leaders LA Galaxy, with a game in hand.
Three more standout performers
9.2 FotMob rating: Alan Pulido, Sporting KC
Pulido’s brace in a 4-1 win at home to Colorago Rapids earned him the second-highest FotMob rating of the round.
He scored his first after a failed clearance from Andreas Maxsø fell to him on the edge of the area. There was still plenty to do and he found the corner of the net after cooly assessing the situation and picking his spot.
A second goal just after halftime put Sporting KC 2-0 up. It was another moment of quality as he beat two Colorado defenders in amid confusion in the area, before slotting past Zack Steffen. He also completed three dribbles and created two chances.
Despite this feel-good, late-season win for Sporting KC, they still have little chance of qualifying for the post-season, but they do have a US Open Cup final against LAFC to look forward to next week.
8.5 FotMob rating: Yuya Kubo, FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati remained ahead of fellow Ohioans Columbus Crew in the battle for second spot in the East behind Inter Miami.
Two first-half contributions from Kubo, the Japanese forward, sent Cincinnati on their way to an important 2-1 win at Minnesota United.
He ran onto a through ball from Chidozie Awaziem that cut straight through the Minnesota United team, finishing with one touch to to open the scoring.
His assist played a part in an outstanding move for Cincy’s second, scored by Luca Orellano. Left-sided centre-back Ian Murphy played a long bal over the top and Kubo flicked it into the path of Orellano with one deft touch.
The Argentine did the rest, beating the covering Miguel Tapias and finishing well.
If Cincy win each of their remaining five games, they could still eclipse the points total that saw them win the Supporters’ Shield last season.
7.3 FotMob rating: Ranko Veselinović, Vancouver Whitecaps
It was not the most obvious of standout performances this week, but the Serbian centre-back played an important role in the Whitecaps’ 1-1 draw with Houston Dynamo.
There were a couple of defensive highlights in the second half that saw Veselinović thwart Dynamo forward Ezequiel Ponce who had already netted a penalty in this game.
He dove in well to block one well-hit shot that was heading straight for goal, and did brilliantly to get in front of a Griffin Dorsey cross that was about to land at the feet of Ponce.
Veselinović also completed 39 of 40 attempted passes, 3/3 long balls, made nine clearances and 13 defensive actions in total. He also started the move that led to the Whitecaps’ equaliser scored by Brian White.
It’s the lowest rating to feature in our roundups this season, but his performance in this game, and generally throughout the campaign, deserves a mention.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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