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Luciano Acosta, Cucho Hernandez headline the Best of MLS for Week 17

Luciano Acosta, Cucho Hernandez headline the Best of MLS for Week 17

By Justin Ruderman and Favian Renkel

Welcome back to Week No. 17 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.

We had some difficult decisions to make this week as each matchday provided enough drama and quality for the entire week. Snubs are inevitable.

Player of the Week

Justin Ruderman: Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)

2 games, 2 goals, 2 assists. The reigning MVP has done it again.

Those numbers have somehow become commonplace for Lucho Acosta over the past couple of seasons but he had stiff competition for my POTW nomination this time around. Both Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernandez and FC Dallas’ Petar Musa scored four goals across two matches this week including a hat trick each yet neither could outdo the impact of Acosta.

With all three recording four goal contributions, the difference was Acosta’s 100th-minute game-winning goal. That is the definition of a clutch performance in Cincinnati’s thrilling 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Union. The goal could’ve earned a GOTW nomination on its own. As well

After the match, Acosta described himself by saying, “I’m like wine. The older I get, the better it is.” 

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Favian Renkel: Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew)

Scoring three goals always garners a player some consideration for this SBI nomination.

Finally, a nod for Cucho Hernandez to win Player of the Week. The Colombian is easily one of the best players in the league, yet he hasn’t fully realized his potential this season in MLS due to injuries and suspensions. 

The Columbus Crew completely dominated SKC in this past matchday, and Cucho Hernandez sliced through the opposition like a hot knife through butter. The 25-year-old took 5 shots, 3 of which found the back of the net. 

Cucho also made history with this performance. He joins John…


Source link : https://sbisoccer.com/2024/06/luciano-acosta-cucho-hernandez-headline-the-best-of-mls-for-week-17

Author : Favian Renkel

Publish date : 2024-06-26 14:26:57

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