MLSAces Team of the MLS Is Back Tournament
Six days ago the Portland Timbers came out and won the MLS Is Back Tournament over the Orlando City Lions 2-1. I’m not here to break down that game, you can listen to the MLS Aces Podcast for that (on all your favorite podcasting platforms)! I wanted to write out my best eighteen for the tournament and give those who balled out a spotlight. Some of these guys may not be a a surprise if you paid attention at all to my and everyone else’s Twitter accounts, BUT, it’s important to understand why they made the list.
GK: Andre Blake - Philadelphia Union
Look, I’m not starting out with a surprise pick but how could you pick anyone else but Dre? Jamaica and the Union’s #1 guy in net had a stellar tournament and I would even say won games by himself with memorable saves versus NYCFC, New England, and SKC. Dre came out looking like his old self and I think his true self! He’s athletic, lanky, and an absolute stud in net that lead this tournament with a (tied) two shutouts.
LB: Joao Moutinho - Orlando City SC
When you leave a tournament with fans asking if you can switch over to their national team? You did something right! Moutinho played so well on the left side of the Orlando XI and did so much to allow guys like Nani to have big games themselves. Moutinho has made people forget about the mess he has in LAFC because if you watched him play in this tournament, you know this kid is a stellar defender.
CB: Mark McKenzie - Philadelphia Union
I mean we all remember when Taylor Twellman came out during a Union game stating that Scottish Premier League club Celtic was watching the young American. Mark McKenzie is a big dude, and I would classify him as a brick wall defender. I am so happy to see a young American killing it and showing that he is ready for bigger things in his career. The Philly defense was easily one of the best in this tournament and McKenzie was a big reason why!
CB: Antonio Carlos - Orlando City SC
I swear that this list will include more than two teams! But Orlando City was easily the biggest surprise in this tournament, going from one of the worst teams in the league up to the MLS Is Back final! A big reason behind that was stellar defensive play that allowed their attackers to… well… ATTACK! Antonio Carlos was a rock in the middle of that backline for the Lions and kept them in so many games. I think we can say that he was a solid loanee pick up by Pareja.
RB: Hassani Dotson - Minnesota United
Am I cheating here? Yes, yes I am. Dotson did play a good amount of right-back because Romaine Métanire was out injured, but he did also get some time up in that midfield. Dotson’s performance in MLS Is Back has given him rise to at least a January camp call up right?!?! Minnesota got beat up by Orlando City, I know that. But what they did defensively and in the transition against every other club was fantastic. Dotson was a part of that, and to me was a guy I wanted to include in my starting XI. If you are here looking for Ruan, check out the bench!
DM: Jan Gregus - Minnesota United
Nobody in this league hits a better free kick than Jan Gregus and that is a FACT! Gregus is and was a big reason why Minnesota’s biggest attacking threat is on free kicks! Though I wouldn’t call him a traditional “defensive midfielder” but I needed to put him here in my XI. If you don’t think that The Goose was one of the main reason’s why Minnesota made a run to the semi-finals, than you need to get your eyes checked.
CM: Eryk Williamson - Portland Timbers
The champs finally get their first player on the board and I am so thrilled to write about Williamson here! The 23 year old has arrived! I have been talking about Williamson for years now! He was a stud on Timbers II and even though he didn’t play on loan in Portugal, you can tell he learned so much there. Williamson has now stepped up and given Diego Chara a friend in that lower block of the midfield. Seven games played, a big assist, covering multiple positions, and deserved of being recognized as a top player on his championship winning team!
AM: Brenden Aaronson - Philadelphia Union
We’ve most likely seen Brenden’s last days in MLS and for DOOP, and shit, he went out with a bang! The 19 year old will most likely be off to Germany soon, and deservedly so after tournament where we saw him play in 6 games and have 2 sexy assists. Aaronson is ready for the next level and if you need proof of that, watch his assist to Sergio Santos against Sporting Kansas City. Do. It. Now!
WNG: Sebastian Blanco - Portland Timbers
When the Timbers raised the MLS Is Back trophy, it was sold that Blanco was raising the MLS Is Back Player of the Tournament Award. This tournament was a turning point for the Portland Timbers, this is no longer Diego Valeri’s team, this is Seba Blanco’s team! He lead this tournament with 5 assists in 7 games and adding 3 goals to his resume as well! Take a bow Seba take a bow!
ST: Diego Rossi - LAFC
Of course an LAFC player is making this team, and it’s the MLS Is Back Golden Boot winner! And of course I am cheating to fit all the attackers I want on my starting XI. Rossi scored SEVEN goals in five games! He was absolutely on fire, and even though LAFC didn’t go too far, Rossi proved that LAFC can score even without Vela. He is another player on this list that is most likely going to be leaving MLS sooner rather than later. Absolutely dynamic!
WNG: Nani - Orlando City SC
Nani was the “other” MLS Is Back Player of the Tournament. If Orlando City pulled off a win in the final, Nani was most likely getting that award. Nani also had 3 assists similar to Seba Blanco, but fell “short” on assists with 3 compared to Blanco’s 5. Nani had a hell of a tournament and without him, the Lions would not even have come close to where they finished. Also, his game winning PK and celebrating like a 5 year old is THE moment of the tournament.
Bench:
GK: Thomas Hasal (Vancouver Whitecaps)
DEF: Ruan (Orlando City SC)
DEF: Larrys Mabiala (Portland Timbers)
MID: Ozzie Alonso (Minnesota United)
MID: Diego Chara (Portland Timbers)
FWD: Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers)
FWD: Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC)
