With the World Cup now over, it's time to focus back on MLS for the stretch run. The night before the final was a showcase for two former Premier League legends and World Cup veterans.
At Red Bull Arena, Thierry Henry put on a show, pounding the Columbus Crew defense into submission. He finished the game with three assists and one classy finish to get his first goal since April 23. The Red Bulls captured the 4-1 win to get their unbeaten streak to five games.
North of the border, Jermain Defoe decided to show yet again why Roy Hodgson may have made a mistake to leave him off his World Cup roster. Defoe led his team back from a two-goal deficit, scoring the game-winning goal after rounding the Dynamo defense and then adding the finishing touch in the 89th minute.
Who else earned a spot on the latest Team of the Week? Read on to find out.
GK: Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) – Came up with the huge penalty-kick save to preserve the Fire's 1-0 lead in the 84th minute. Added six other saves throughout the match as the Fire won their first game since May 18.
D: Lovel Palmer (Chicago Fire) – Was all over the field shutting down the Revs attacks as helped the Fire to their second shutout of the season.
D: Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders) – Neutralized Fanendo Adi, allowing him little space once getting into the box as the Sounders shut out their rivals at home.
D: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) – Slotted back into MLS in his usual style, with steady defensive play, leadership, and an assist off a throw-in against Montreal as SKC beat Montreal 2-1.
D: Chris Korb (D.C. United) – Since retaking his starting spot from the departed Cristian, Korb has been performing at a high level. He showed that form again as D.C. beat the Earthquakes 2-1.
M: Marco Pappa (Seattle Sounders) – Took five shots and created three others as Pappa was the Sounders focal point for much of the game on Sunday night. Got an insurance goal in the 86th to secure the Sounders' 2-0 victory over the Timbers.
M: Dillon Powers (Colorado Rapids) – An assist and goal, covered a lot of ground, rallied the troops when Rapids were down to collect a point on the road in Philadelphia.
M: Davy Arnaud (D.C. United) – The old man showed that he still has it on Friday night, helping United to a big road win in San Jose.
M: Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo) – Provided two clinical finishes as the Dynamo were unable to hold onto a 2-0 lead in Toronto.
F: Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC) – Made the Houston backline look silly as he put his team up 3-2 then provided the clincher to secure the three points.
F: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls) – A goal, three assists, an inspiring halftime rant and utter domination of the Columbus Crew. What would the Red Bulls be without him?
Coach: Mike Petke (New York Red Bulls) – Had his team firing on all cylinders in a crucial matchup that will have implications in the playoff race down the road.
Bench:Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), Eric Alexander (New York Red Bulls), Mauro Rosales (Chivas USA), Cristian Maidana (Philadelphia Union), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City), Deshorn Brown (Colorado Rapids)
