Sometimes the defense is the star. So it was for FC Dallas, which used its exceptional fullback and goalkeeping to secure a 2-1 home victory over Inter Miami CF and earn three starting XI places on the Team of the Week presented by Audi for Week 21.
Winning goal scorer Ryan Hollingshead and man of the match Bryan Reynolds are rewarded with back line places after their contributions on opposite flanks of the Dallas defense. And goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer's five saves earned him the start after he earned the bench spot in Week 20.
Elsewhere, LAFC's good-but-not-great victory over the Houston Dynamo still earned spots on the bench for goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer, defender Eddie Segura and striker Diego Rossi, while Nashville SC's Randall Leal continued his stellar form with a second consecutive starting nod.
Team of the Week (4-3-3, right to left): Jimmy Maurer (DAL) - Bryan Reynolds (DAL), Aaron Long (RBNY), Ryan Hollingshead (DAL) - Julian Gressel (DC), Randall Leal (NSH), Emanuel Reynoso (MIN), Yimmi Chara (POR) - Raul Ruidiaz (SEA), Chris Wondolowski (SJ), Daryl Dike (ORL)
Coach: Chad Ashton (DC)
Bench: Jimmy Maurer (DAL) - Eddie Segura (LAFC), Jesus Medina (NYC), Roger Espinoza (SKC), Kacper Przybylko (PHI), Diego Rossi (LAFC), Jaroslaw Niezgoda (POR)
The Team of the Week presented by Audi is voted on by the MLSsoccer.com editorial staff.
