The LA Galaxy, Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo registered three of the most important results from the weekend, and their standout players were recognized for their efforts with a total of seven players from the three squads elected to the latest edition of the Team of the Week.
From the Dynamo, midfielder Geoff Cameron earned his third Team of the Week selection after setting up two of Houston's three goals and earning an assist. Forward Brian Ching was selected for the first time this year after scoring twice.
Also on this week's squad is one of Toronto's Designated Players, two revelation wingers from Portland and Columbus and the MLS Player of the Week.
GK – Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids): Pickens was critical for the Rapids in withstanding the onslaught from Philadelphia in a big road win against a first-place team.
DF – Marvell Wynne (Colorado Rapids): There was a lot of chasing to be done against Philadelphia and Wynne and the Rapids back line was up to the task.
DF – Sean Franklin (LA Galaxy): Another steady performance by the All-Star. His impact on his team’s performances becomes increasingly evident with every match.
DF – Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy): A stalwart for the Galaxy in their shutout win over the Whitecaps. A must-have for Jurgen Klinsmann vs. Mexico?
MF – Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo): He talked about stepping up for his club at the All-Star Game and he did it against Seattle, covering significant ground in the process.
MF – Torsten Frings (Toronto FC): The skeptics questioned his potential impact on the club. In a few games and again vs. Portland, he is already the most critical element for TFC.
MF – Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew): Showed what he can do on his best days. A fine display against Real Salt Lake have some suggesting a national team return.
MF – Sal Zizzo (Portland Timbers): All he needed was more playing time to show manager John Spencer he can be a difference-maker. Hard to see him pulled from the lineup now.
MF – Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy): Back to dismantling teams singlehandedly and catching up to fellow superstar Thierry Henry on the scoring charts.
FW – Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo): Houston’s fortunes will be dependent on their captain and how many goals he can produce in the absence of Will Bruin on the shelf with a knee injury.
FW – Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United): Debate will surely begin regarding the reigning Player of the Week and whether attacking forward is his best position. In San Jose, he reminded us he's a lethal finisher. DC have to make sure he can get near the goal.
Manager – Aron Winter (Toronto FC): The multitude of roster changes made by the Dutchman bore fruit last weekend with a fightback that would not be expected of a team struggling to get results of late.
Honorable Mentions: Jair BenÃtez (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Colin Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (New England Revolution), Stefan Frei (Toronto FC), Julius James (Columbus Crew), Eddie Johnson (Portland Timbers), Gershon Koffie (Vancouver Whitecaps), Rajko Lekic (New England Revolution), Ruben Luna (FC Dallas), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Adam Moffat (Houston Dynamo), Drew Moor (Colorado Rapids), Joao Plata (Toronto FC), Roger Torres (Philadelphia Union), Bobby Warshaw (FC Dallas)
