MLS Week 18 brought us some wicked goals, a couple of beatdowns, and some good old fashioned Cali Clasico action. Coupled with a NYCFC win, it's pretty hard to beat that slate of action.
But we've got little time to waste, because this week's matches kick off tomorrow! Let's dive into our favorite moments from around the league in Week 18:
First Touch of the Week: Roland Alberg
It's extremely hard to do what Roland Alberg did this weekend, which was hit an absolute banger into the top corner to seal a 3-0 win for Philadelphia over the New England Revolution.
It's even harder to do that with your first touch of the match. After barely a warm-up jog, to come out on the field and have your shooting boots perfectly calibrated is impressive as heck. Take a look:
Account Opener of the Week: Daniel Salloi
Next, we move right from a sick first touch to a sick first goal. Sporting Kansas City Homegrown Daniel Salloi made his first deposit in the MLS goal bank by doing the equivalent of slapping a fat stack of cash down on the counter. But like, no big deal. Just another day in the life. Props to Roger Espinoza for that pass, too.
Anyway, take a look:
"Yeah, They're Pretty Darn Good" of the Week: Chicago Fire
The thing you have to take into account when you look at this weekend's 4-0 smackdown that Chicago laid on Vancouver is that they were without their most important midfield presence, Dax McCarty. Oh well, good thing they have a dude named Bastian Schweinsteiger to cover his shift while he's gone. And how many goals did you say Nemanja Nikolic has? Jeez, man.
WAIT, THIS IS THEIR SECOND 4-0 WIN IN A ROW?
You've Gotta Pressure The Ball There! of the Week: D.C. United feat. Blerim Dzemaili
Look at how much room D.C. United gives Blerim Dzemaili, of all folks, to work with here. Yes, of course he made them pay. He's very good.
GO LONG! of the Week: Alec Kann... to Villalba... TOUCHDOWN!
Clearly these two are practicing their gridiron skills for when Mercedes Benz Stadium opens. Football as cool as heck, and it's unfair to discriminate against whichever variety Atlanta United decides to play, especially when it works this well. Put a dang helmet on, guys.
Baller, Shot Caller of the Week: Shea Salinas
The Cali Clasico is one of the OG MLS rivalries, and it's seen its fair share of narratives throughout its many editions over the years.
This one, though, featured something a little bit different. Not only did Shea Salinas score the 93rd minute winner and send Stanford Stadium into a total frenzy, but the man called his shot before the match as a tribute to his former teammate Alan Gordon, who actually played for both of these sides and has his own special place in Cali Clasico lore.
You want narrative? You've got it, ladies and gentlemen.
