Vela, Dos Santos and Pozuelo headline MLS Best XI for Week 8

Ives Galarcep

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Vela, Dos Santos and Pozuelo headline MLS Best XI for Week 8 image

The two best teams in MLS reside in the same city, and their dominance is leading to a very LA-flavored selection in Goal's MLS Best XI on a regular basis.

Week 8 was no different, with Los Angeles FC and the LA Galaxy posting impressive victories against a pair of worthy Western Conference contenders. The result was five players from the LA teams filling out the Best XI for Week 8, a number made more impressive by the fact Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn't make the cut this week.

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Carlos Vela is back yet again, securing his seventh selection in eight weeks, with teammate Mark-Anthony Kaye securing a spot on the Best XI for a second straight week.

FC Dallas is well-represented after its impressive road win against Atlanta United, with Jesse Gonzalez boosting his chances of a Gold Cup call-up as the lone American to earn a place on this week's Best XI.

Who else made the cut? Here is this week's Goal MLS Best XI for Week 8:

GFX MLS Best XI Week 8 04222019

Goalkeeper

A week after earning an honorable mention nod, Jesse Gonzalez secured a Best XI selection for his seven save performance in Saturday's 2-1 win against Atlanta United. Only a stoppage-time penalty kick spoiled Gonzalez' shutout bid, but it didn't take away from his building momentum toward a USMNT return.

Vancouver's Maxime Crepeau made just three saves, but was very active in the penalty area to help the Whitecaps post the 1-0 win against LAFC last Wednesday. New England's Cody Cropper also deserves a nod for his five-save effort in the 1-0 shutout win against the New York Red Bulls.

Defenders

LA Galaxy defender Diego Polenta had his share of rough moments earlier in the season, but he has stepped his game up in recent weeks, and delivered the winning goal for the Galaxy in Friday's win against the Houston Dynamo.

Portland's Larrys Mabiala also combined strong defensive work with a timely goal to help the Timbers upset the Columbus Crew at MAPFRE Stadium, spoiling Caleb Porter's reunion against his former team.

New York City FC defender Maxime Chanot was the leading standout in a back-three that all performed well to help stifle a dangerous D.C. United attack on the way to an impressive 2-0 victory at Audi Field.

Portland's Jorge Moreira earned honorable mention for his goal and solid defensive effort at right back against Columbus, while New England's Edgar Castillo and Real Salt Lake's Aaron Herrera performed well in fullback roles in shutout victories. Philadelphia central defender Jack Elliott drew a penalty and helped the Union post a shutout win against Montreal.

Midfielders

The tandem of Eduard Atuesta and Mark-Anthony Kaye were outstanding for LAFC in Sunday's 4-1 romp over Seattle, with Kaye delivering three assists, and Atuesta recording a goal and assist of his own, including a score set up by Kaye.

Toronto FC's Alejandro Pozuelo was unstoppable in Friday's 4-3 win against Minnesota United, delivering two goals and setting up another.

Galaxy midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos was dominant in the middle of the park, helping LA control the flow of play against a tough Houston side for their fifth win in a row, while also delivering the game-winning assist with his perfect corner kick on Polenta's winning goal.

There were several midfielders who secured honorable mention nods this week, including Fire playmaker Nico Gaitan, Real Salt Lake's Albert Rusnak, Portland's Cristhian Paredes and San Jose's Shea Salinas.

Forwards

San Jose's Danny Hoesen delivered a pair of quality goals early in the Earthquakes 4-1 romp over Sporting Kansas City, setting the tone for the Earthquakes second win in three matches.

Carlos Vela added two more goals to his league-leading tally, up to 10 now, including another left-footed beauty.

Michael Barrios delivered a pair of beautiful assists to set up both goals in FC Dallas' impressive road win against Atlanta United.

Among honorable mention forwards, NYCFC striker Heber was very close to cracking this week's Best XI, while TFC's Jordan Hamilton came off the bench with two goals to earn his own honorable mention nod. Chicago's Aleksandar Katai also delivered a Best XI-worthy effort in the Fire's romp over Colorado.

Ives Galarcep

Ives Galarcep Photo