USL Western Conference Best XI - Week 5

With a 2-0 win over Sacramento, the Portland Timbers 2 have become the final team to earn a spot on the player of the week rankings. In a week dominated by defense and midfielders, a team of the week concentrating on the back line was born.

Goalkeeper: Wade Hamilton, Portland Timbers 2, 3020 pts

Hamilton recorded a four goal shutout and successfully played twenty six balls out of the backfield to mark the first appearance of a Timbers player and give the team its first win.

Defender: Jordan Burt, Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 2101 pts

Burt was able to convert one of his two shots on goal to help overcome a 0-2 deficit and secure a late draw for Colorado Springs.

Defender: Max Lachowecki, Real Monarchs SLC, 2243 pts

Lachowecki took down eight interceptions to help hold Seattle to only one goal as Real Monarchs took a 3-1 victory.

Defender: Zarek Valentin, Portland Timbers 2, 2544 pts

Valentin won sixty percent of his overall duels, created two chances and helped lead Portland to a 2-0 shutout in order to lead the Timbers to their first win of the season.

Defender: Madou Jamada, Tulsa Roughnecks, 2772 pts

Jamada helped keep control of the Tulsa back line, recording seven clearances to keep the Toros at bay. Jamada additionally was responsible for the lone assist that provided a 1-0 victory.

Midfielder: Nick Besler, Real Monarchs SLC, 2520 pts

Besler won over half of his duels, and added a goal as the Monarchs bounced back from a loss to win their fourth game of the season.

Midfielder: Jamie Ayala, Tulsa Roughnecks, 2575 pts

Netting the loan goal in a 1-0 win, Ayala’s strike marked the second victory for Tulsa over Rio Grande Valley this season.

Midfielder: Luke Rooney, Phoenix Rising, 3137 pts

Rooney recorded a goal and added three chances, one of them resulting in an assist, as Phoenix handed Swope Park their first loss of the season.

Midfielder: Jose Hernandez, Real Monarchs SLC, 3232 pts

Hernandez did everything for the Monarchs last week. He won eleven duels, scored a goal and created three chances for the rest of his team.

Midfielder: Billy Forbes, San Antonio FC, 3533 pts - Player of the Week

Forbes took four shots, two of which ended up on goal and one in the back of the net as San Antonio continued their unbeaten streak. He also recorded an assist to be a part of every goal scored in the 2-1 victory over Vancouver.

Forward: Chris Cortez, Phoenix Rising, 2841 pts

Cortez took six shots and recorded a goal while wining two thirds of his duels to give Phoenix their second consecutive home win.

Honorable Mentions:

Goalkeeper: Fabian Cerda, Tulsa Roughnecks, 2780 pts

Defender: Jordan Murrell, Reno 1868 FC, 2043 pts

Midfielder: Victor Arboleda, Portland Timbers 2, 2489 pts

Forward: Aly Hassan, San Antonio FC, 2075 pts

Total appearances by team this season:

(9) - Real Monarchs SLC, San Antonio FC

(8) - Tulsa Roughnecks

(5) - Sacramento Republic FC, Rio Grande Valley Toros

(3) - Swope Park Rangers, Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Phoenix Rising

(2) - Reno 1868 FC, Seattle Sounders 2, Portland Timbers 2

(1) - Los Angeles Galaxy II, Orange County SC, Oklahoma City Energy, Colorado Springs Switchbacks

Thoughts:

San Antonio and Real Monarchs continue to dominate the ranks through the early stages of the season, as some teams are heavily underrepresented. Which teams that have been having problems getting players on the team of the week do you think will start reaching the ranks soon?