Huge opportunities awaited both LAFC and the New England Revolution during MLS Week 33, and they seized them to pace the Team of the Week presented by Audi.

towt-week33

We’ll start with New England, who followed up winning the 2021 MLS Supporters’ Shield with a 1-0 win over Colorado that gave them the single-season points record (73), surpassing LAFC’s mark from 2019. Center back Henry Kessler was rock-solid Wednesday night, while head coach Bruce Arena recorded his 240th MLS regular-season coaching win, drawing level with the late, great Sigi Schmid. One more: MVP frontrunner Carles Gil placed on the bench after reaching 126 chances created on the year – the most in any MLS campaign since 2011.

As for LAFC, midfielder Latif Blessing had 1g/1a in a 3-0 win over the Seattle Sounders that kept afloat their hopes of seizing a Western Conference spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. South Korea international and right back Kim Moon-Hwan had a strong game as well, while midseason acquisition Jamal Blackman is the backup goalkeeper following a five-save shutout of the then-West’s No. 1 seed.

Aside from Blessing, the midfield group includes a star showing from Columbus Crew playmaker Lucas Zelarayan (1g/2a) that keyed a vital 3-2 win over Orlando City SC. Out wide, there’s also Real Salt Lake’s Justin Meram behind his two off-the-bench assists in a 2-1 win at FC Dallas. And lastly, Nashville SC’s Randall Leal had 2g/1a to spark a wild 6-3 comeback win at FC Cincinnati that clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot.

The forward group contains Portland’s Dairon Asprilla following his bicycle-kick stunner that sealed a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Out wide, a two-goal effort from Sporting Kansas City’s Johnny Russell powered a 2-0 victory over the visiting LA Galaxy. On the other flank, Atlanta United’s Luiz Araujo contributed 1g/1a during a 2-1 win over Inter Miami CF that reinforced why he could become a top-end Designated Player in MLS.

At goalkeeper, there's D.C. United's Bill Hamid courtesy of a five-save shutout that blanked New York Red Bulls 1-0 and vaulted them back into an East playoff spot. Last but not least, Philadelphia Union left back Kai Wagner supplied two assists in a 2-2 draw at Toronto FC, giving the German defender 10 goal contributions this season.

Team of the Week (3-4-3, left to right): Bill Hamid (DC) – Kai Wagner (PHI), Henry Kessler (NE), Kim Moon-hwan (LAFC) – Randall Leal (NSH), Lucas Zelarayan (CLB), Latif Blessing (LAFC), Justin Meram (RSL) – Luiz Araujo (ATL), Dairon Asprilla (POR), Johnny Russell (SKC)

Coach: Bruce Arena (NE)

Bench: Jamal Blackman (LAFC), Steve Birnbaum (DC), Keaton Parks (NYC), Carles Gil (NE), Ezequiel Barco (ATL), Brian White (VAN), CJ Sapong (NSH)

agdp_week33

Audi Goals Drive Progress

MLS Academies have been identified as one of the most important resources for building on-field talent in North America. Through the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative, Audi has committed $1 million per season in an effort to advance academies league-wide, and to drive progress for the sport. For every goal scored in the regular season, Audi will contribute $500 into the Audi Goals Drive Progress fund to directly support each MLS Club Youth Academy.