By Justin Ruderman and Favian Renkel
Welcome back to week seven of Justin and Favian’s Weekly MLS Awards where SBI staff writers Justin Ruderman and Favian Renkel bring you a glimpse at the best of each week in MLS.
Lionel Messi returned from injury with a goal off the bench, El Trafico created its typical controversy, and the New York Red Bulls went top of the Eastern Conference with a victory over the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners in Cincinnati. Let’s dive in!
Player of the Week
Justin Ruderman: Raúl Ruidíaz (Seattle Sounders)
The past couple of seasons haven’t been typical for Raúl Ruidíaz. Since arriving in Seattle in 2018 until the start of this season, Ruidíaz had scored 64 goals in 115 regular season MLS matches (0.56 goals per game) and another 9 goals in 14 playoff games, but the past two years haven’t been up to par.
Combined, Ruidíaz scored 14 goals in 39 MLS games (0.36 goals per game) across 2022-23. Not a shabby return, but not up to the Peruvian’s lofty standards. Part of this dropoff has been due to fighting through multiple muscle injuries but when available, Brian Schmetzer has left him on the bench in 14 of those 39 matches, including over half of his appearances last season.
All this to say, Ruidíaz recording a brace on Saturday for his fourth goal in seven matches – six of which he started – is a great sign for his fitness and form early in 2024. His first goal will likely win the official MLS Goal of the Week award while his second was a confident penalty from the spot. Seattle’s all-time leading goalscorer is seemingly back to his old self in 2024.
For the cherry on top, in earning his fifth MLS Player of the Matchday selection, Ruidíaz passed Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris for the most in club history.
Favian Renkel: Sebastián Driussi (Austin FC)
Everybody was anticipating the return of a famous Argentine number 10 from injury to make his mark. That…
Source link : https://sbisoccer.com/2024/04/raul-ruidiaz-and-sebastian-driussi-headline-best-of-mls-for-week-7
Author : Justin Ruderman
Publish date : 2024-04-09 14:00:00
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