In a Wednesday night Week 23 slate, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes earned playoff-clinching win and plenty of recognition in the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi.
Colorado fullback Sam Vines is in the starting XI for his role in a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers, and game-winning goal scorer Kellyn Acosta and defender Danny Wilson both earned bench spots.
For 10-man San Jose, game-winning goal scorer Cristian Espinoza and midfield wrecking ball Judson got their own starting nods after a gripping 3-2 win over LAFC. Chris Wondolowski earned a place in the 18 with his 166th career MLS goal,and Matias Almeyda earned well-deserved coaching honors after completing an impressive rescue job following a mid-season slide.
Elsewhere, an already dangerous Orlando City team may be getting Mauricio Pereyra healthy at just the right time after his two-assist performance in a 2-1 win over Columbus Crew SC placed him in the XI for a second straight week.
Chicago Fire FC's Robert Beric continues to be the most quietly in-form forward in MLS after he found the net for a sixth time in nine matches in a 2-2 draw with Minnesota United.
And FC Dallas continued an impressive recent run with a 1-0 win over Nashville SC that earned them three selections.
Team of the Week (4-5-1, right to left): Joe Willis (NSH) - Romain Metanire (MIN), Matt Hedges (DAL), Mauricio Pineda (CHI), Sam Vines (COL) - Cristian Espinoza (SJ), Judson (SJ), Mauricio Pereyra (ORL), Thiago Santos (DAL), Ryan Hollingshead (DAL) - Robert Beric (CHI)
Coach: Matias Almeyda (SJ)
Bench:Dayne St. Clair (MIN) - Danny Wilson (COL), Kellyn Acosta (COL), Nicolas Lodeiro (SEA), Chris Mueller (ORL), Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (LA), Chris Wondolowski (SJ)
The Team of the Week presented by Audi is voted on by the MLSsoccer.com editorial staff.
