Team of the Matchday

Team of the Week (Wk 27): New England Revolution and FC Dallas score huge wins to solidify playoff spots

With just five games on the schedule this weekend, it was easier to focus in on certain matches and performances.


Two of the ten teams to take the field took advantage, scoring huge wins in the heat of playoff races.


The New England Revolution have been on a roll, one that continued Saturday, when they destroyed Orlando City SC, 3-0 in a game that could have ended up with an even more lopsided scoreline. Lee Nguyen was the star, finishing the game with three assists.


The next day, FC Dallas rolled into Columbus and came away with their own 3-0 win, moving themselves to the top of the Supporters' Shield standings in terms of points per game. 20-year-old goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez collected his second-straight clean sheet behind a backline led by Matt Hedges.


Read on to find out who else made the Team of the Week, presented by EA SPORTS FIFA 16, for Week 27:

Team of the Week (Wk 27): New England Revolution and FC Dallas score huge wins to solidify playoff spots -

GK: Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas) – Didn't have to do too much in Dallas' win, but the 20-year-old showed why he's a prospect for the Mexican national team, collecting his second-straight clean sheet.


D: Steven Vitoria (Philadelphia Union) – Had possibly his best game in a Union jersey, clearing eight balls and shutting down Quincy Amarikwa and Chris Wondolowski for much of the game.


D: Matt Hedges (FC Dallas) Was a rock in the back for Oscar Pareja's team, collecting 10 clearances and seven interceptions, as Columbus Crew SC was unable to break down the Dallas defense.


D: Chris Tierney (New England Revolution) – His forays into the attack were crucial in the fluidity of the Revolution's play in the attacking third, even providing a goal in stoppage time.


M: Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution) – Pinged balls all across the field, constantly finding teammates in dangerous areas, and ended the game with a club-record three assists.


M: Victor Ulloa (FC Dallas) Held Dallas' young midfield together, displaying excellent positioning and timely passing throughout the match.


M: Scott Caldwell (New England Revolution) Has really come into his own in recent weeks, dominating the midfield on Saturday night without help from Jermaine Jones.


M: Diego Fagundez (New England Revolution) The sheer speed with which Fagundez is able to get the ball off his foot ranks as one of his top attributes and was on display with his finish against Orlando City.


F: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) .Returned to the Sounders lineup after a long layoff and picked up right where he left with Obafemi Martins, scoring and assisting in the Sounders' 2-1 win.


F: Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact) – Three goals, ace hold-up play and near-hysteria in the stands: not a bad night for the legend in the Impact's riotous 4-3 win.


F: Conor Casey (Philadelphia Union) – Came off the bench to score a brace with his head. Completely changed the game for the Union, who needed a target after San Jose showed a defensive liability without Victor Benardez in the Union's 2-1 victory.



Coach: Jay Heaps (New England Revolution) - Has his team flying high  they're unbeaten in six  and seems to have Nguyen back to his 2014 form.


Bench:Tally Hall (Orlando City SC), Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution), Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders), Justin Mapp (Montreal Impact), Michael Barrios (FC Dallas), David Texeira (FC Dallas), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders)