The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 5

The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 5
FotMob - March 18, 2024, 10:23 PM
MLS expert James Nalton picks two standout performers based on his votes in the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) Player of the Week awards and picks out a few more of this week’s contenders.

By James Nalton
Inter Miami and Columbus Crew continue to be the headline makers in MLS and there were some standout individual performances in Matchday 5 to go along with their latest victories.

These two teams are joined at the top end of the early Supporters’ Shield standings in 2024 by Minnesota United, for whom former Manchester United coach Eric Ramsay took charge of his first game on Saturday night, a 2-0 win against LAFC.

If theiy continue in this vein, no doubt Minnesota players will feature here in the future, but for now here are the individual players who stood out in the latest round of MLS play.

The Top Two
8.8 FotMob rating: Joseph Paintsil – LA Galaxy
Painstil entertained the LA Galaxy crowd in Carson with an electric display on the right wing in a 3-3 draw with St. Louis City.

The Ghanaian used his pace down the flank to regularly push his team into dangerous positions, and in truth, they should have had even more goals from these attacking bursts.

He created four chances for his teammates, finishing the game with an expected assists (xA) score of 0.76.

He and his team were unlucky that none of those chances resulted in goals, and Roman Bürki made some good saves in the St. Louis goal.

Paintsil did manage to score one of his own, though, zooming in behind St. Louis full-back Anthony Markanich to get on the end of Mark Delgado’s pass before shooting past Bürki into the corner.

It was the highlight of a great performance that marked Paintsil out as one of the players to watch in this league and showed why the Galaxy made him a Designated Player signing for 2024.

8.6 FotMob rating: Luis Suárez – Inter Miami
With Lionel Messi out injured and Suárez on the bench, it was left to Ecuadorian forward Leonardo Campana (FotMob rating 9.0) to lead the line for Inter Miami.

Campana performed admirably, scoring the equaliser for Miami in DC after Jared Stroud had given the home side the lead. He also makes our TOTW by virtue of his higher match rating.

But it was Suárez’s contribution off the bench that truly turned a draw into a win.

His first of two goals in a 30-minute sub appearance was turned in at the far post following a nice cross from Campana.

The second was scored after it looked like the chance had gone, audaciously chipped over DC United goalkeeper Alex Bono from just inside the area with his weaker left foot.

United were unlucky not to get a penalty when Sergio Busquets clearly stopped Cristian Dájome getting a header on goal by pulling his shirt.

The absence of MLS referees due to being locked out by their employers, the Professional Referees Organization and MLS, continues to be an issue.

But this game once again showed that Suárez, in moments of genius, can singlehandedly change games in this league.


Three more standout performers
8.8 FotMob Rating: Aidan Morris – Columbus Crew
It was the Cucho Hernández show again for the reigning MLS Cup champions as the Colombian scored one goal and assisted another in a 3-0 win against the New York Red Bulls.

But it was also the Aidan Morris show. The American midfielder contributed greatly to this convincing victory with his passing and his work out of possession in midfield.

Morris finished the game having completed 59 of his 63 attempted passes for a success rate of 94%. Not bad against a team that likes to press.

He completed three out of three dribbles attempted, won 12 duels, and made seven recoveries.

It was his pressure in midfield that led to the second goal, scored by Jacen Russell-Rowe from Cucho’s pass.

Morris rounded off his display with a goal of his own, being in the right place at the right time at the far post from a corner.

8.6 FotMob rating: Luciano Acosta – FC Cincinnati
Like Suárez, Acosta was able to come off the bench in the second half of a game and make the difference for his team.

Having been subbed on at halftime, last season’s MLS MVP scored one goal and assisted another to give Cincy a 2-1 win against a struggling New England Revolution side.

His first contribution came straight from the second-half kick-off.

He drove forward into space before laying the ball off to fellow halftime substitute Luca Orellano who find the net with just 27 seconds of the half played, but it was called back for offside.

The opening goal eventually came when an Acosta corner made its way to Yuya Kubo at the far post, before the Argentine scored what was to be the game-winner from a powerfully hit, low free-kick.

A game-changing performance.


9.1 FotMob rating: Matías Cóccaro – Montréal
There were a number of good performances from forwards in MLS this week, with Giorgos Giakoumakis of Atlanta and Vancouver’s Brian White also making handy contributions.

Though both of Coccaro’s goals came from the penalty spot, and his team ended up losing 4-3 to Chicago Fire, his performance still deserves highlighting.

He won both of those penalties himself, drawing fouls in the box before rising to his feet to dispatch both spot kicks.

They were unlucky penalties to give away from a Chicago point of view, but Cóccaro positioned himself well to bait the foul on both occasions.

Montréal eventually lost the game, conceding twice in added time, including a freak goal from inside his own half from Kellyn Acosta, assisted by the wind of the Windy City (FotMob rating 8.5).


(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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The biggest football clubs in the world
Real Madrid, Man Utd, Liverpool and Barcelona are among the biggest clubs in world football
European and South American sides have huge followings
Modern investment has seen clubs like Man City and PSG grow in stature

By Ewan Ross-Murray
12:00 AM GMT
Real Madrid are arguably the biggest club in world football
Real Madrid are arguably the biggest club in world football / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages
Not all football clubs are made equal, with various sides across the world boasting unbelievable fanbases and deep trophy cabinets.

Plenty of clubs in Europe and South America have enormous global followings, with supporters cheering them on across the world.

Here are the 30 biggest clubs in world football.

Real Madrid
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Spanish Super Cup
Real Madrid have captured fans hearts' across the globe / Anadolu/GettyImages
Let's start with the biggest club in world football: Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants are gargantuan both domestically and in Europe, with a record 14 Champions League/European Cup trophies shining brightly in their vast cabinet.

They have boasted some of the best players the world has ever seen from all across the globe, with the pinnacle of a footballer's career donning that fabled white shirt.

Paris Saint-Germain
Kylian Mbappe
PSG have dominated France over the past decade / Xavier Laine/GettyImages
Paris Saint-Germain had once sat in the shadows of France's biggest clubs, with only the occasional trophy to boast in the capital. However, the arrival of Qatari investment transformed them into a European powerhouse and easily the strongest side in Ligue 1.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have all graced Parc des Princes in recent seasons, with PSG now a global brand associated with flair, style and excitement.

Tottenham Hotspur
Heung-Min Son
Spurs have an enormous following / Julian Finney/GettyImages
Tottenham's significant trophy drought over the past 15 years hasn't detracted from their status as one of England's most followed clubs. The north London side are a colossal force in the capital and have always been easily identifiable for their attractive brand of forward-thinking football.

The arrival of Ange Postecoglou has lifted the Spurs faithful and dreams of glory are not too far away given the Australian's impressive start to life in English football.

Boca Juniors
Edinson Cavani
Boca Juniors are giants in Argentina / Marcelo Endelli/GettyImages
Boca Juniors are an institution in Argentina and one of the biggest clubs in South America. They have claimed a staggering 35 Primera Division titles since their first in 1919, as well as six Copa Libertadores crowns.

They are the record holders for silverware in Argentinian football and the famous blue and yellow of Boca will forever be synonymous with the passion and fire of South American football.

Ajax
Kenneth Taylor
Ajax have always been a dominant force in Dutch football / BSR Agency/GettyImages
Easily the biggest club in the Netherlands, Ajax remain a titan in Europe. The Amsterdam outfit are the most successful club in Dutch football, with seldom a trophy-less season passing in the capital.

With Johan Cruyff the face of the four-time European champions, Ajax have still been able to compete with the continent's big boys despite a lack of financial power in comparison to the other elite sides in Europe.

Juventus
FBL-ITA-SERIEA-JUVENTUS-ATALANTA
Juventus are on their way back to the top of Italy / MARCO BERTORELLO/GettyImages
Despite a difficult few years in Turin, few sides can match the history and quality of Juventus since their inception in 1897. No Italian club have more Serie A titles than the Old Lady's 36 or Coppas Italia than their 14.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini have all worn the black and white of Juventus, with the club desperate to reclaim their spot at the top of Italian football once again.

Celtic
Daizen Maeda
Celtic are one of the two biggest clubs in Scotland / Ian MacNicol/GettyImages
The first British side to win the European Cup, Celtic's 'Lisbon Lions' established the Scots as one of the biggest clubs in the United Kingdom. The Glasgow side have an enormous backing across Scotland and Ireland and have immense pedigree domestically with 53 league titles and a record 41 Scottish Cups.

The Bhoys' continental influence has waned slightly in recent years, but they remain one of the world's fiercest sides.

Manchester United
Marcus Rashford, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes
Man Utd are one of the most decorated English clubs / Michael Regan/GettyImages
Sir Alex Ferguson helped establish Manchester United as one of the biggest and most decorated clubs in world football, with the Red Devils dominating English football for two decades under the Scotsman's tutelage.

20 Premier League/First Division titles is a record in England, while three Champions League trophies is an impressive total. They'll be back among Europe's best on the pitch sooner or later.

Porto
Wenderson Galeno
Porto are one of Portugal's biggest two clubs / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
One of Portugal's big two, Porto are the second most decorated club in the country, boasting a mightily impressive 30 Primeira Liga titles. Not only this, the Dragons also have two European Cups to their name, most recently winning the competition under Jose Mourinho in 2004.

A club frequently in the latter stages of the Champions League, Porto have an enormous fanbase and are a huge production factory for some of the world's best talent.

Napoli
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Napoli ended their Serie A drought in 2023 / Ivan Romano/GettyImages
Napoli brought over three decades of hurt to an end in 2022/23 as they finally won another Serie A title. It was only the Naples side's third scudetto, but they ran away with the title and played some glorious football under Luciano Spalletti in the process.

While some way off being the most decorated club in Italy, they remain one of the country's most passionate and well-loved teams.

Fenerbahce
Ferdi Kadioglu
Fenerbahce are one of Turkey's elite sides / Ahmad Mora/GettyImages
Fenerbahce are one of Turkey's most well-supported and decorated sides, with 19 Super Lig titles and seven Turkish Cup crowns to their name.

Their famous yellow and blue jersey has become iconic, with Fener desperate to get back to the summit of Turkish football having failed to win a league title in a decade - although that could yet change this season.

Newcastle United
Lewis Miley, Bruno Guimaraes, Callum Wilson
Newcastle are on the rise / Stu Forster/GettyImages
Newcastle United may not boast the biggest trophy cabinet in England, but they have some of the most loyal and passionate supporters of any team in the country. The Magpies have always packed out St James' Park, even in the darker days, and returned to the Champions League in 2023/24.

With Saudi Arabian investment in the club, Newcastle are back eating at the big table of English football.

Borussia Dortmund
Mats Hummels, Marco Reus, Ian Maatsen, Marcel Sabitzer
Dortmund have a special fanbase / Dean Mouhtaropoulos/GettyImages
Seeing the famous black and yellow wall of Borussia Dortmund in the flesh must be on the bucket list of every football supporter across the world, with Signal Iduna Park one of the most fabled grounds in Europe.

Borussia Dortmund are the second biggest club in German football and enjoyed huge success in the 21st century under Jurgen Klopp, also claiming a Champions League title in 1997.

Sao Paulo
Luciano
Sao Paulo are one of Brazil's finest clubs / Miguel Schincariol/GettyImages
Given the sheer size of the population in Sao Paulo, it's hardly surprising they are one of the biggest teams in all of Brazil. In fact, they are one of only two sides to have never been relegated from the country's first division.

Sao Paulo have an absolutely stacked trophy cabinet and were even crowned world champions in 2005 by winning the FIFA Club World Cup.

Milan
Christian Pulisic
Milan have boasted some of the finest players in football history / Marco Luzzani/GettyImages
A giant of world football, Milan are on their way back to rediscovering past glories. The Italian behemoths were dominant domestically in the 1990s and supporters of the club were lucky enough to witness the likes of Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit in their primes during the decade.

Milan have won seven European Cups - the most of any Italian team - and won a first scudetto in over a decade in 2021/22 as they return to being a European powerhouse.

Rangers
John Lundstram, Glen Kamara
Rangers are Scotland's other giant / Ian MacNicol/GettyImages
Having been demoted to the fourth tier of Scottish football after entering administration in 2012, Rangers are now back where they belong. The Glasgow club, who boast a fierce rivalry with Celtic in the Old Firm, went unbeaten during the 2020/21 season in the league, and even reached the Europa League final the following campaign.

With a record 55 league titles to their name, there can be no doubting just how big an institution Rangers are, even if they don't have the same global reach as some other clubs.

Barcelona
FC Barcelona v SSC Napoli: Round of 16 Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Barcelona are a historic side / Alex Caparros/GettyImages
Not only have Barcelona boasted the best player to ever take to the field in Lionel Messi, the Catalan club also produced arguably the greatest team in football history under Pep Guardiola in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

They have fans in every corner of the world and are always capable of producing generational talents through their famous La Masia academy.

Marseille
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-MARSEILLE-NANTES
Marseille are still one of France's major forces / CHRISTOPHE SIMON/GettyImages
Marseille may not have quite the same pedigree as they once did, but they remain a formidable side in French football. 1993 Champions League winners, they continue to be one of the most supported clubs across Europe.

While they may not have won the Ligue 1 title since 2009/10 due to PSG's dominance, teams don't relish a trip to the cauldron that is the Stade Velodrome.

Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea are one of the richest clubs in the world / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
Chelsea's recent success was forged by former owner Roman Abramovich, whose investment helped the Blues to compete among the top sides in England and Europe. As a result, they have have won five Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies, but Todd Boehly has since taken over at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have always had that 'X factor' since the turn of the century, fielding stars such as Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard.

Roma
Paulo Dybala
Roma are Serie A stars / Silvia Lore/GettyImages
Associated with the great Francesco Totti, Roma are one of Italy's elite clubs. They may only have three Serie A titles, but they are a club steeped in fame for their immense presence in the Italian capital.

Roma won their first European trophy since the 1960s in 2021/22 when they lifted the Europa Conference League under Mourinho.

River Plate
Rodrigo Aliendro, Miguel Borja
River Plate are huge rivals with Boca / Hernan Cortez/GettyImages
River Plate are Argentina's most successful domestic side having won 54 titles, besting huge rivals Boca Juniors. They also have four Copa Libertadores crowns, most recently lifting the trophy in 2018.

River won the Primera Division for a 38th time last season and the South American giants continue to relentlessly search for more silverware.

Galatasaray
Galatasaray v Rizespor- Turkish Super League
Galatasaray are Turkish royalty / Seskim Photo/MB Media/GettyImages
Galatasaray are Turkey's most successful club and have a record 23 Super Lig titles in their cabinet, including one they picked up last season. They are one of the few sides from the country to have won European silverware, lifting the UEFA Cup in 1999/00.

While they may not have the financial muscle to compete at the top level in Europe, they still have the capacity to spring a surprise on the continent.

Manchester City
John Stones
Man City won the treble last year / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
Manchester City have risen to prominence since hefty Middle Eastern investment in 2008 and have now become one of Europe's most frightening teams under the tutelage of the world-class Pep Guardiola.

The Cityzens have now won everything on offer under the Spanish coach, including a famous treble last season that saw them end their Champions League hoodoo.

Benfica
Rafa
Benfica are arguably the biggest side in Portugal / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
Benfica are a side with incredible history, winning two European Cups consecutively in 1961 and 1962. However, they are still one of Portugal's giants in the modern day, having won a record 38 Primeira Liga titles.

Benfica have won six of the last ten Portuguese league titles on offer and are one of Europe's greatest talent factories.

Atletico Madrid
Atletico de Madrid players celebrate their victory during...
Atletico have unsettled Barca and Real's dominance / SOPA Images/GettyImages
Atletico Madrid are one of the few Spanish sides who have upset the dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent years, even reaching two Champions League finals under Diego Simeone.

The capital side have also managed two La Liga titles under the Argentine coach, most recently triumphing during the 2020/21 campaign, and continue to defy the odds year on year.

Arsenal
Leandro Trossard
Arsenal are one of England's biggest sides / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
The Gunners are record FA Cup winners, the only side to go unbeaten throughout the entirety of the Premier League season and have the third-most trophies of any English club. They are a colossal force.

Mikel Arteta has helped re-energise a side that had fallen on hard times and they are now back among Europe's most exciting sides.

Flamengo
Leo Pereira, Fabricio Bruno
Flamengo are one of Brazil's best clubs / Buda Mendes/GettyImages
Flamengo are Brazilian superstars and the most followed club across the country, winning two Copa Libertadores trophies since 2019. The black and red stripes of their kit have been worn by the likes of Zico and Romario over the years.

Other than Sao Paulo, the Rio de Janeiro side are the only team to have never been relegated from the top division of Brazil.

Inter
Kristjan Asllani
Inter reached last season's Champions League final / Marco Luzzani/GettyImages
Inter were incredibly close to winning their fourth European Cup last season after reaching the Champions League final against Manchester City, but narrowly missed out on adding another piece of silverware to their bulging trophy room.

They did at least grab the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana last year and look set for a 20th Serie A crown this campaign.

Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Muenchen v 1. FSV Mainz 05 - Bundesliga
Bayern are the biggest side in Germany / Franz Kirchmayr/GettyImages
The biggest club in one of the grandest footballing nations of all time, Bayern Munich are a success machine. They are the record winners of the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and DFL Supercup, while they also secured a sixth Champions League victory in 2020.

Unless they suffer a mighty downfall in the near future, no German side is ever catching their records at the top of the tree.

Liverpool
Chelsea v Liverpool - Carabao Cup Final
Liverpool have added to their silverware this season / Nigel French/Allstar/GettyImages
Liverpool are the most successful club in English football and added yet another trophy to their cabinet in the Carabao Cup final earlier this season. Jurgen Klopp has got the Reds back to their best after a difficult period, and the club's next manager will want to continue his success.

They also hold the record for the most European Cups won by any English side, grabbing a sixth in 2019.

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