Lloyd Sam continued to rack up the points and MLS accolades this week. The Red Bulls winger has been named to the MLS Team of the Week for the second-straight week after recording an assist on Mike Grella’s goal in the Red Bulls 2-0 win on Friday night at Red Bull Arena.
Sam leads the Red Bulls in scoring with three goals and one assist through five games. He got his first helper of the year by laying a perfectly-weight ball across the face of goal and onto the foot of his former Leeds teammate at the back post.
The Englishman was also nominated for MLS Goal of the Week earlier this year. Sam’s stellar play has been key to the Red Bulls 3-0-2 start to the year, and their foothold at the top of MLS Eastern Conference Standings and power rankings.
Sam and the Red Bulls continue a three-game homestand this weekend when they host the LA Galaxy on Sunday, April 26 at 5 p.m.
Tickets for the match are still available by visiting www.newyorkredbulls.com/tickets.
GK: Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders) - Was huge all night as he was under constant fire and was forced into eight saves in the Sounders' 3-1 win.
D: Dan Gargan (LA Galaxy) – Steady night at right back, playing next to the less-experienced Tommy Meyer, as the Galaxy walked away with all three points against Sporting Kansas City.
D: Pa Modou Kah (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) – Kendall Waston “looks” better, but Kah's stats were stronger Saturday night. Passed cleanly, made a number of important defensive plays and committed not a single foul as Vancouver posted a clean sheet at the RioT.
D: DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo) – The veteran left back was good defensively and added a lot to the attack as well. D.C. United didn’t have many clear looks on goal – their only tally came off a free kick - and Beasley’s speed and positioning was a big part of that as the Dynamo left RFK with a point.
M: Lloyd Sam (New York Red Bulls) - Continued his strong start under Jesse Marsch by setting up a goal and keeping San Jose’s defense out of sorts all night as the Red Bulls won 2-0.
M: Teal Bunbury (New England Revolution) – Subbed on in the second half and changed the dynamic of the game. His movement on the right side helped pin Raymon Gaddis back, and Bunbury schooled him on the first goal with a slick nutmeg. His pass to Charlie Davies was also pinpoint. Bunbury's goal — the match-winner — was a product of a heart-busting run to get into the box and a smooth finish.
M: Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers) – Played a big role in the deflected game-winner and was the Timbers' driving force during their best moments. Passed accurately (including four chances created), picked good spots to attack on the dribble and covered acres of ground.
M: Federico Higuaín (Columbus Crew SC) – Pipa had his best game of 2015, scoring one goal and assisting on another as Crew SC beat Orlando City 3-0 at home.
M: Lamar Neagle (Seattle Sounders) – Twice gave the visiting Sounders the lead, once on a fantastic shot and a second time on an opportunistic goal that he did not give up on as they went on to finish off the Rapids, 3-1.
F: Fabián Castillo (FC Dallas) – He was dominant before the long delay, scoring twice in the first 10 minutes as Dallas beat Toronto FC 3-2.
F: Kei Kamara (Columbus Crew SC) – Provided a sublime finish on his goal and wreaked havoc up front for Crew SC all night.
Coach: Jay Heaps (New England Revolution) – Made the right subs in the second half to take his team from a loss to a win on the road.
Bench:Adam Kwarasey (Portland Timbers), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders)
