Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips has been named to the MLS Team of the Week after scoring his 11th goal of the season, another game-winner, against Toronto FC. Wright-Phillips now has five game-winners on the season, tied for most in MLS this year.
Matt Miazga and Dax McCarty were also named to the Team of the Week bench for their performances as the Red Bulls stretched the unbeaten streak to six games.
Wright-Phillips got his fifth goal in the last six games in the 21st minute. Red Bulls winger Mike Grella was able to lift the ball over a tangle of feet in tight space to spring BWP in on goal, and the striker was able to beat Toronto’s Joe Bendik to put New York ahead.
The goal was also the 39th in Wright-Phillips’ New York career, putting him in a tie with Clint Mathis for fourth-most in franchise history. Of the 39, 11 have been game-winners, putting the 2014 Golden Boot winner in third place in team history for game-winning goals.
Bradley Wright-Phillips and the Red Bulls are back in action on Wednesday, August 26 with a road match against the Chicago Fire. Wright-Phillips scored one of his three hat tricks against the Fire in 2014. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on MSG Network and the Red Bulls Internet Radio Network.
MLS TEAM OF THE WEEK
GK: Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) – Sure he conceded three goals, but Johnson was in the zone in the game's final minutes, making multiple incredible saves.
D: Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes) – When he scores, it’s a winner, and Goodson grabbed his second this year for the Quakes in the win against the Rapids, helping preserve the shutout as well.
D: Nat Borchers (Portland Timbers) – Grabbed the dramatic game-winner and anchored the Timbers back line that kept RSL off balance in their attack all night.
D: Jose Goncalves (New England Revolution) – Almost had a couple of moments where he lost the ball in dangerous spots but was otherwise solid defensively and scored the game-winner with a well-taken effort.
M: Cristian Maidana (Philadelphia Union) – Three assists says it all. He controlled the midfield and was deadly on the counter in the Union's 3-3 draw.
M: Paulo Nagamura (Sporting Kansas City) – Scored the game-tying and game-winning goals in the final 10 minutes. That's really all you have to say.
M: Kwadwo Poku (New York City FC) – The most consistent player on the field for NYCFC in their win over D.C., Poku scored a goal and an assist and displayed some of the skills that make him a fan favorite.
M: Kekuta Manneh (Vancouver Whitecaps) – He was a menace to SKC all night, picking off errant passes and starting attacks from the left side. He scored twice and nearly had a hat trick in the Whitecaps' loss in Kansas City.
F: Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders) – Didn’t miss a beat on his return from injury, netting two goals against a hapless Orlando defense and receiving a deserved standing ovation.
F: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) – In his 100th MLS regular-season game, Keane showed what made him so great through his first 99: He scored both of LA's goals in their 2-1 win.
F: Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls) - Was a menacing presence to the Toronto FC back line in the Red Bulls' 3-0 win. Scored just one goal, but his affect on the game was much greater.
Coach: Sigi Schmid (Seattle Sounders) - Neatly got Martins, Román Torres and Nelson Valdez into the starting lineup in what became a trouncing of Orlando City.
Bench: Adam Kwarasey (Portland Timbers), Robbie Rogers (LA Galaxy), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Tommy McNamara (New York City FC), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Kennedy Igboananike (Chicago Fire)
