10/28 - Matchday 32

Player of the Matchday

Lucas Halter

Lucas Halter was a rock in the back for Houston Dynamo as they put in a trademark Ben Olsen performance to get back to winning ways. Halter opened the scoring for the Dynamo with a header off a set piece, then Houston sat back and defended their result. This plays right into Halter's hands, as the Brazilian excels at box defending. He is always in the right place, getting in front of shots or repelling service into the box. His partnership with Agustín Resch has made Houston impenetrable at times, and this was certainly the case on Wednesday as Houston kept a clean sheet and moved into 4th in the West.

Photo via A Tarde

Young Player of the Matchday

Dor Turgeman

Dor Turgeman is in fine form right now. With a brace over the Red Bulls, it's the 4th time in his last 7 matches that he's factored into multiple goals, and he now has 5 goals in his last 4 matches. The Israeli striker has done a great job finding chances in the box, but also showed his clinical edge with a wonderful first time finish from outside the box. Turgeman has rounded out his game this year, becoming a true poacher while contributing in other facets of the match as well. He is a willing runner and can link up play, making him good at getting New England out of their own half. Turgeman has been a revelation for New England in the second half of the year.

Photo via The Blazing Musket

Goal of the Matchday

Saba Lobjanidze

There were lots of beautiful goals this matchday, but Saba Lobjanidze's deft curler is the pick of the bunch. Receiving the ball just inside the 18 yard box, the Georgian took a couple of touches to get it onto his right foot. Despite being closed down by two Austin defenders, Saba was able to get his shot through and find the top corner with a wonderfully curled effort. It was a shot with so much finesse and bend, starting outside the post and arcing straight into the side netting. It's Saba time in Salt Lake!

Assist of the Matchday

Tomás Chancalay

Chancalay provided a unique assist on Minnesota's third goal of the night. Following a headed clearance out of the SKC box, Chancalay tracked down the ball and threw himself into a sliding challenge on the Sporting left back. It was a textbook, clean tackle, but Chancalay didn't spend time admiring his work. He got right up to his feet and picked out Yeboah in the box with a cutback ball from the end line. It was incredible work rate and determination from Chancalay, who is now a part of Minnesota United history, picking up the assist on Yeboah's 40th for the franchise, making him the all-time leading goalscorer for the Loons.

Statistic of the Matchday

13 Passes into final third

Morgan Guilavogui completed 13 passes into the final third in RSL's win over Austin. This is indicative of how Guilavogui's role has shifted in recent weeks to become more of a creator. He has been given license to drop a little deeper to combine with teammates and make plays, which is what the Guinean does best. Guilavogui was very effective at doing just this on Wednesday, getting RSL into dangerous areas with frequency. Plus, he chipped in with the game winning goal.

Team of the Matchday

LW: Kristoffer Velde

CF: Dor Turgeman

RW: Liel Abada

LWB: Anthony Markanich

CM: Noel Caliskan

CM: Oliver Larraz

RWB: Ilay Feingold

LCB: Kobi Henry

CB: Lucas Halter

RCB: Jefferson Díaz

GK: Jonathan Bond

Team of the Matchday photos via MLSSoccer.com

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse