The end of the United States national team's run at the World Cup on Tuesday meant that MLS clubs got back some of their best players for this weekend's games.
The player who made the biggest impact upon his return was Kyle Beckerman, as he led RSL to a much-needed 2-1 win over the struggling New England Revolution. Beckerman was his usual self, picking out the perfect passes and clogging up the middle so the Revs could not get in many dangerous positions.
One team that is helmed by a former USMNT captain, Chivas USA, had a particularly great week. Led by Carlos Bocanegra, the Goats collected 1-0 victories over both San Jose and Montreal. The game-winner in each contest was scored by Erick "Cubo" Torres, now tied for second in the Golden Boot race behind another Team of the Week member, Bradley Wright-Phillips. Bocanegra and Torres were joined by emerging fullback Donny Toia in this week's squad.
Who else earned a spot on the latest Team of the Week? Read on to find out.
GK: Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) – Helped his club claim another draw, making eight stops on the road at Sporting Park.
D: Donny Toia (Chivas USA) – Showed why he has cemented his place along Wilmer Cabrera's back line with two standout performances at right back.
D: Johnny Leverón (Vancouver Whitecaps) – In the absence of Jay DeMerit and Andy O'Brien, Leverón proved his worth by helping keep a shutout against the Sounders' high-powered attack.
D: Carlos Bocanegra (Chivas USA) – Boca helped keep his team organized as the Goats shut out both opponents.
D: Ambroise Oyongo (New York Red Bulls) – Did well on both sides of the field, setting up Wright-Phillips’ second goal and showing he can hold his own on the defensive side vs. Houston in a 2-2 draw.
M: Nick DeLeon (D.C. United) – Did a lot on both sides of the ball to help United claim a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC.
M: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake) – The World Cup veteran calmly dominated the midfield, breaking up play after play, and seemed to make the right pass every time as RSL beat the Revs 2-1.
M: Matías Laba (Vancouver Whitecaps) – Was his usual destroyer self, breaking up any advances the Sounders were making on Saturday night.
M: Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew) – Stepped up and took responsibility for the Crew attack in Federico Higuain's absence, grabbing a poacher's goal and troubling the Colorado defense all night. The Crew drew the Rapids 1-1 on the road.
F: Erick Torres (Chivas USA) – The two game-winners were enough, but Torres was dangerous for all 180 minutes this week.
F: Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls) – Continues his dominance atop the MLS scoring chart with another clinical night, picking up two good goals in the Red Bulls' 2-2 draw.
Coach: Wilmer Cabrera (Chivas USA) - Has let his star forward do what he does while helping to keep the back line solid and organized.
Bench:Clint Irwin (Colorado Rapids), Jordan Harvey (Vancouver Whitecaps), Bobby Burling (Chivas USA), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Marcelo Sarvas (LA Galaxy), Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers), Blas Pérez (FC Dallas)
