Denis Bouanga, Luciano Acosta headline the Best of MLS for Week 16

June 18, 2024 Trending News

By Favian Renkel and Justin Ruderman

Welcome back to Week No. 16 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.

The international break is upon us but Major League Soccer plays on, forcing teams to test their depth or rely even more heavily on the stars who stayed. Our weekly awards across Matchdays 19 and 20 undoubtedly reflect this trend.

Player of the Week

Justin Ruderman: Denis Bouanga (LAFC)

The reigning MLS Golden Boot winner has been sensational at BMO Stadium this season but had only recorded 2 of his 15 goal contributions on the road…until now.

There wasn’t much the Gabonese international didn’t do in Orlando as he returned from World Cup qualification with his country to open the scoring by drawing his MLS-leading fourth penalty of the season. His blistering pace combined with devastating footwork is second to none in this league as he is making a habit of leaving defenders scrambling in his wake.

Once Orlando leveled the scoring in the second half, Bouanga provided an assist with a ball in behind for Mateusz Bogusz to run onto from midfield straight into the Lion’s box for the 80th-minute winner. Of course, he had to make sure the three points were secured with a third goal contribution as he once again split his defenders before rounding the goalkeeper (which Favian will have more on later).

As if his performance needed more to cement his POTW nomination, Bouanga also completed the most successful dribbles (10) and won the most duels (13) of any player on the pitch at Inter&Co Stadium. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, when Olivier Giroud arrives in Los Angeles the Black and Gold attack will send shivers down the spine of opponents as they lay awake in bed on a Friday night before facing the reigning Western Conference champions.

Favian Renkel: Luciano Acosta (FC…


Source link : https://sbisoccer.com/2024/06/denis-bouanga-luciano-acosta-headline-the-best-of-mls-for-week-16

Author : Justin Ruderman

Publish date : 2024-06-18 15:00:37

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