The dominance of the Western Conference knows no bounds.
The Team of the Week has a distinct West flavor for Week 2, featuring an attacking threesome hailing from three title contenders.
GK: Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo)– A second road shutout to start 2012. Commanding. Confident. Amidst dearth of fresh US goalkeeping talent, it’s time Jurgen Klinsmann looked at Hall.
DF: Marvell Wynne (Colorado Rapids) – Put out countless fires for a Rapids team under assault in Philly. Made plays.
DF: Chris Schuler (Real Salt Lake) – Rock vs. RBNY. Even veteran Nat Borchers is going to have a fight on his hands to get back into the starting lineup.
DF: Zach Loyd (FC Dallas) – Already in midseason form. Arguably the best athlete in MLS. Increasingly effective with his runs down right flank.
MF: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) – When motivated, LD is unstoppable. Took over the game vs. D.C. United.
MF: Felipe (Montreal Impact) – Most influential player for Impact. Got job done on both sides of the ball vs. Chicago.
MF: Roger Espinoza (Sporting KC) – Does work of two players on the field. Another dominant performance vs. New England.
MF: Álvaro Fernández (Seattle Sounders) – Showed why he’s a DP vs. Toronto FC. Runs, flicks and combination play key to Sounders success against porous TFC.
FW: Fabián Espíndola (Real Salt Lake) – Once again a thorn in the side of the Red Bulls. Inspired start to 2012 with goals to show for it.
FW: David Estrada (Seattle Sounders) – A hat trick in his third MLS start in three seasons is a massive feat. Goals showed vision, technique and work rate that will keep him on the field … for now.
FW: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) – Makes runs and finds spaces like few forwards in MLS. Will contend for scoring title despite playing in Euros.
Honorable Mentions: Davy Arnaud (Montreal Impact), Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Ramiro Corrales (SJ Earthquakes), Adam Moffat (Houston Dynamo), Hanyer Mosquera (Portland Timbers), Jámison Olave (Real Salt Lake), Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids), Mauro Rosales (Seattle Sounders), C.J. Sapong (Sporting Kansas City), Seth Sinovic (Sporting Kansas City), Paolo Tornaghi (Chicago Fire), Joe Willis (D.C. United), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Manager: Oscar Pareja (Colorado Rapids) -- In his first two matches as manager, Pareja has led his team to two victories, including a tough one away from home in Philadelphia. When his team went down a man, he kept the Rapids organized enough to withstand the Union's pressure in a hostile road environment.
