NEW YORK – Week 4 of the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week owes two MLS clubs for most of its players. The Seattle Sounders (4) and the Houston Dynamo (3) contributed more than half of the best XI following the action from the most recent weekend of play.
Reigning MVP David Ferreira makes his debut appearance, the Crew's Chad Marshall shows up for the third consecutive week, while New York Red Bulls fans may be surprised to see their former reserve left back in the lineup.
GK – Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders): Several big stops against the Fire. Seattle fans already miss the ‘keeper, who will retire at the end of this season.
DF – Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew): The only three-time Team of the Week nominee, Marshall continues his strong start to the season. The Crew have three straight shutouts.
DF – Danleigh Borman (Toronto FC): Aron Winter wants players who are adept at attacking and defending and Borman showed on Saturday in San Jose that he can do both effectively.
DF – Bobby Boswell (Houston Dynamo): Also contributing on both ends of the field this week was the Houston central defender. Calm and smooth along the back line and cool near the goal mouth as well.
MF – David Ferreira (FC Dallas): The MVP is back. His two goals – and a celebration involving a baby pacifier – allowed FC Dallas to exact some MLS Cup revenge.
MF – Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo): After a stellar preseason, the best left foot in MLS proved again why more than any other player wearing orange, he is the Dynamo’s inspiration.
MF – Steve Zakuani (Seattle Sounders): The Englishman is on a tear to start the year and he terrorized yet another MLS right back, this time scoring a goal on one of his patented runs deep into the box.
MF – Nizar Khalfan (Vancouver Whitecaps): They don’t come more dynamic than the Tanzanian, who has the pace to be dangerous from anywhere on the field and the stamina to cover more ground than any of his teammates, no matter how many games the schedule throws Vancouver’s way.
FW – Mauro Rosales (Seattle Sounders): It’s been a smooth transition for the technically gifted Argentine, who has the experience to figure out exactly how he can be useful to the Sounders in whichever position he plays.
FW – Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo): An early Rookie of the Year candidate, the former Hoosier got his first MLS goal but more importantly was active and dangerous for the entire match vs. Vancouver.
FW – O'Brian White (Seattle Sounders): After a frustrating start to 2011, the Jamaican forward seems to be on track with his second goal in as many games. His off-the-ball work is being rewarded with goals, which can only add to his confidence.
Manager – Jason Kreis (Real Salt Lake): He has diligently worked on building his squad over the recent years, cultivating young players until they were ready to become quality contributors. Qualifying to the CCL finals felt good but winning in New England with a side lacking many starters has to rank up there for Kreis.
Honorable Mentions: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Fabián Castillo (FC Dallas), Simon Dawkins (San Jose), Stefan Frei (Toronto FC), Ugo Ihemelu (FC Dallas), Rafa Márquez (New York), Paulo Jr. (Real Salt Lake), Chris Schuler (Real Salt Lake), Roger Torres (Philadelphia).
2011 TEAM OF THE WEEK MENTIONS:
Goalkeepers: Tally Hall (Week 2, Week 3), Kasey Keller (Week 4), Nick Rimando (Week 1);
Defenders: Danleigh Borman (Week 4), Bobby Boswell (Week 4), Danny Califf (Week 1), Omar Gonzalez (Week 3), Zach Loyd (Week 1), Chad Marshall (Week 2, Week 3, Week 4), Drew Moor (Week 2), Jeff Parke (Week 1), Alain Rochat (Week 2), A.J. Soares (Week 3);
Midfielders:Osvaldo Alonso (Week 2), Kyle Beckerman (Week 1), Geoff Cameron (Week 3), Brian Carroll (Week 2), Davide Chiumiento (Week 1), Brad Davis (Week 4), Simon Dawkins (Week 3), David Ferreira (Week 4), Shalrie Joseph (Week 3), Juninho (Week 1), Nizar Khalfan (Week 4), Javier Morales (Week 2), Marco Pappa (Week 2), Teemu Tainio (Week 1), Steve Zakuani (Week 3, Week 4);
Forwards: Omar Bravo (Week 1), Will Bruin (Week 4), Teal Bunbury (Week 3), Omar Cummings (Week 1), Caleb Folan (Week 3), Eric Hassli (Week 1), Javier Martina (Week 2), Paulo Jr. (Week 2), Mauro Rosales (Week 4), Camilo (Week 3), O'Brian White (Week 4), Chris Wondolowski (Week 2);
Managers:Hans Backe (Week 2), Jason Kreis (Week 4), Ben Olsen (Week 1), Gary Smith (Week 3).
