The Eastern Conference finished the second month of the season off with a busy week. There were offensive and defensive showcases on display as ten matches occurred over the last week of May. Below are those players who stood out above the rest of the conference for week 10!

You can find last week’s Best XI here, and an explanation on our player rating methodology here.

Goalkeeper: Mark Pais, Toronto FC II: 2059.2 pts*

Mark Pais conceded only a single goal and made seven saves in two appearances last week. With Pais and Angelo Cavalluzzo in goal for Toronto FC II, the Ontario outfit has one of the East’s goalkeeper units.

Defender: Wal Fall, Rochester Rhinos: 3203 pts

A goal in 27th minute from Wal Fall was enough to capture all three points for Rochester in a crucial match against Tampa. The defender now leads the Rhinos in goals (3), and is tied for the lead in shots on target (6).

Defender: Tyler Polak, FC Cincinnati: 3024 pts

Consistent play is key, especially for a club with their eyes on the postseason, and Tyler Polak provides just that for FC Cincinnati. Last week he provided an assist and two chances in a 1-0 win over Toronto FC II. Polak also sits in the top five on FC Cincinnati in tackles, blocks, interceptions and clearances.

Defender: O’Brian Woodbine, Charleston Battery: 2856 pts

After missing the first four matches of the year, O’Brian Woodbine has quickly become a cornerstone of the Charleston back line. Woodbine added an assist and two chances created in a 1-0 win over Bethlehem on Thursday morning, as well as having the second most interceptions on the Battery this season.

Defender: Austin Berry, FC Cincinnati: 2488 pts

Rarely anything in the FC Cincinnati offense does not go through their captain, Austin Berry. With a minimum of 200 passes on the year, Berry has the highest passing accuracy on the club, at 81.4%. Defensively, Berry had seven interceptions on the night against Toronto FC II.

Midfielder: Sito Seoane, Ottawa Fury FC: 3454 pts

For the second week in a row, Sito Seoane makes an appearance on the Eastern Conference Team of the Week. The Spanish midfielder leads Fury in goals, and notched a brace in a 5-3 win over Richmond on Saturday.

Midfielder: Jorge Herrera, Charlotte Independence: 2902 pts

Herrera scored his third goal of the year to cap off a 3-1 win over Orlando City B, the third unanswered goal for the Independence versus the Baby Lions. Herrera also leads the club in chances created.

Midfielder: Lance Rozenboom, Ottawa Fury FC: 2716 pts

The Ottawa captain found the back of the net for the first time all season in the 69th minute, a goal that leveled the match against Richmond. Each of his three shots all year have been on target, making him a part of a Fury attack that is proving to be dangerous.

Forward: Tucker Hume, Ottawa Fury FC: 3011 pts

Like his teammate Sito Seoane above, Tucker Hume makes a second consecutive appearance on the Eastern Conference Best XI. Second behind Seoane in goals for Ottawa, Hume netted the go-ahead goal in the 73rd minute against Richmond, eventually paving the way to a comfortable three points for the Canadian hosts.

Forward: Alhaji Kamara, Richmond Kickers: 4538 pts, Player of the Week

Alhaji Kamara did it all for the Kickers on offense Saturday, scoring a hat trick in the span of 25 minutes. Kamara’s four goals on the season is equal to the number of goals the rest of the Kickers have combined, and it has him in the top ten of goals scored in the Eastern Conference.

Forward: Junior Flemmings, New York Red Bulls II: 2580 pts

Junior Flemmings tied the match for the Baby Bulls in the second half of a 2-1 win over conference leaders, Charleston. Flemmings holds a place in the top three of goals, shots and shots on target for NYRB II.

* Denotes a composite ranking of two matches played in the week, calculated as follows: Rating= 1.1*((0.7*max score)+(0.3*min score))

Honorable Mentions

Goalkeeper: Sean Lewis, Harrisburg City Islanders: 1422.3*

Defender: Joseph Greenspan, Pittsburgh Riverhounds: 2320 pts

Midfielder: Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence: 2384 pts

Forward: Cory Burke, Bethlehem Steel FC: 2554.86*

Thoughts

An eight goal match on Saturday afternoon between Ottawa and Richmond has sent a combined four players to this week’s Best XI. Ottawa players have really benefited recently, having made a total of six appearances on the team of the week in the past two weeks. FC Cincinnati, fresh off back-to-back wins for the first time all season, sends a pair of defenders to the Best XI as well.

Alhaji Kamara set the bar for an individual showcase this week, notching Player of the Week honors despite the result in Ottawa. His hat trick lifted Richmond into a tightly contested fixture with the Fury, and is a perfect example of players can achieve in 90 minutes of play.

What are your thoughts on this week’s Best XI? Is there a player not listed that you think deserves a spot? What players do you think will make the May Team of the Month? Let us know in the comments below!