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By James Nalton
The Top Two
9.3 FotMob rating: Karol Świderski, Charlotte FC
Dean Smith’s Charlotte FC side qualified for the MLS post-season after a masterclass from their Polish forward Świderski helped them to a 4-3 win against Chicago Fire.
Świderski played a great one-two with teammate Pep Biel to open the scoring in impressive fashion. After featuring among our top performers from Matchday 35, Biel was good once again in Matchday 36, and set up Júnior Urso for the second goal.
Świderski then scored his second via a header from Nathan Byrne’s cross and assisted Charlotte’s fourth for Liel Abada.
Świderski and his teammates will now be looking to ensure Charlotte qualify for round one of the playoffs proper rather than having to go through the wildcard round.
9.2 FotMob rating: Lewis Morgan, New York Red Bulls
New York Red Bulls needed something positive to pick them up from a demoralising derby defeat last weekend against New York City, and Morgan was the man to provide it.
He drew the foul that brought the penalty opportunity for Emil Forsberg to score the opening goal, and then found John Tolkin in acres of space on the left to assist his goal that made it 2-0.
The Scotland international scored one of his own from the penalty spot before rounding off his involvement in all four Red Bulls goals with an assist for Elias Manoel to make it 4-1 against a sorry-looking Toronto FC.
The Red Bulls have now qualified for the playoffs for 15 consecutive seasons, but they will be judged on whether they make progress in the post season, rather than just qualifying for it.
Three more standout performers
8.9 FotMob rating: Brad Stuver, Austin FC
Only Inter Miami and LA Galaxy have scored more goals than Portland Timbers in MLS this season, but against a barrage of shots, Austin goalkeeper Stuver helped his side snatch a win in Oregon.
Portland had 26 shots to Austin’s seven, and Austin only managed one on target – Daniel Pereira’s shot for the goal which took a big deflection to evade Timbers goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
After that slice of luck, this Austin win was down to Stuver, who stopped an xG on target of 1.34 from Portland’s total xG of 2.39,
That suggests some poor finishing from the Timbers, but Stuver made some important stops amid his total of ten saves, taking his total to 125 saves this season – more than any other goalkeeper in the league.
Highlights in this game included two stops from Jonathan Rodríguez, both of which went down as big chances for Portland, both of which were stopped by Austin’s Man of the Match.
9.1 FotMob rating: Hernán López, San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose may already be confirmed as recipients of this season’s wooden spoon, but López and his teammates were not downing tools as he put in an excellent display to see his side to a 3-2 win against FC Dallas.
His first goal was reminiscent of the next player to come on this list of standout players, as he darted into space, received the ball from a teammate, and sent a shot inside the far post left footed from outside the area.
A second followed later in the game to give San Jose the lead once again, this time López found himself in the centre-forward position and dinked his finish over onrushing Dallas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer.
López finished the game having completed four out of four dribble attempts and won nine out of 12 ground duels.
8.9 FotMob rating: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
Numerous players could have made the list of five this week, it could easily have extended to ten such were the number of standout performances in Matchweek 36 fixtures, but none had as much riding on them as Inter Miami versus Columbus Crew.
It looked like Messi had made a great assist for Marcelo Weigandt in the early stages of this game, but the goal was disallowed for a very close offside call (MLS VAR doesn’t draw lines).
Shortly after, Sergio Busquets very lucky to escape a sending off for serious foul play and several yellow cards, so there were no shortage of incidents before Messi finally opened the scoring in this entertaining game.
Messi bundled one in following some great centre-forward play to score the first for Miami, worrying the Columbus defenders enough so that they didn’t make a strong challenge on him in the penalty area, and the ball eventually bobbled up for him to poke home.
There was no bundling about the second goal, which was a trademark Messi free-kick curled around the outside of the wall and inside the post.
Luis Suárez scored the all-important third goal in a game that finished 3-2 and left supporters wanting more of this fixture in the upcoming playoffs.
To rub salt in the wound, Columbus had Rudy Camacho sent off for serious foul play for a challenge on a similar level of severity to the one Busquets committed in the first half.
The win meant Inter Miami were crowned Supporters’ Shield winners for topping the overall MLS league standings, and that they did so at the home of the current MLS Cup and Leagues Cup champions only adds to this burgeoning competitive rivalry ahead of the playoffs.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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