USL Western Conference Best XI - Week 14

After a week that saw few games played, Week 14 in the Western Conference was a wild one, with most teams playing multiple games and a record setting week for average representation. In an offensive heavy week, we saw a large number of players crack the 3000 point mark in the player rankings.

Goalkeeper: Matt Bersano – Reno 1868 FC, 2180 pts

A two save shutout earned Bersano the keeper of the week award in the West in a week that only two teams hold a shutout with ten matches played.

Defender: Taylor Peay – Real Monarchs SLC, 2091 pts

In a week where the Monarchs took home four points and saw their winning run end, Peay was able to secure a win against Reno early with the go-ahead goal in the dying moments of the first half. He added a total of nine clearances as the Monarchs continue their run at the top of the table.

Defender: Sean McFarlane – Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 2342 pts

Over two matches, McFarlane totaled nine clearances as the Switchbacks took down three points. The difference maker,however, came in a late first half goal that handed San Antonio their first loss of the 2017 season.

Defender: Liam Doyle – Swope Park Rangers, 2511 pts

Doyle completed 63 of 67 passes and added the equalizing goal as Swope Park came from behind and took all three points from Colorado Springs.

Midfielder: Christian Duke – Swope Park Rangers, 3034 pts

Duke not only recorded the game winning goal, but he also created four chances as Swope Park took home another home win. SPR continues to look like a contender in the West.

Midfielder: Tyler Blackwood – Sacramento Republic, 3039 pts

Blackwood recorded two goals from five shots on goal over two matches as Sacramento had their offense wake up and kick into high gear with a six point week.

Midfielder: David Norman – Vancouver Whitecaps 2, 3041 pts

Norman had an impressive showing in a 2-2 draw against Oklahoma City as he recorded two assists on five total chances created. He added six successful crosses and a shot on goal of his own as he was the spark for Vancouver’s offense.

Midfielder: Carlos Alvarez – Orange County SC, 3572 pts

Alvarez recorded a goal, an assist, two created chances, and had three shots on goal as Orange County returned from multiple weeks on bye. If Alvarez can continue this pace, Orange County will quickly gain relevancy in the West.

Midfielder: Zach Mathers – Seattle Sounders 2, 4002 pts

Mathers was on fire for Seattle this week as he recorded three goals on six shots. He added one assist from five created chances as Seattle scored six goals over two games.

Forward: Wilson Kneeshaw – Sacramento Republic, 3631 pts

Kneeshaw played a part in four of the nine goals that were recorded by Republic in one of the best weeks in team history. He saw three of his five created chances result in assists and he added a goal of his own.

Forward: Trevin Caesar – Sacramento Republic, 5187 pts - Player of the Week

Caesar lived up to the pre-season hype this week, scoring on four of his ten shots taken over two matches, including a hat trick against Rio Grande Valley. If the attack continues to flow through him at this rate, Sacramento will be more than a dark horse in the West.

Week 15 Matches:

#7 Tulsa Roughnecks (1098) v #4 Swope Park Rangers (1114)

#14 Los Angeles Galaxy II (1062) v #4 Swope Park Rangers (1114)

#3 Reno 1868 FC (1117) v #11 Phoenix Rising (1092)

#12 Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (1088) v #13 Seattle Sounders 2 (1087)

#6 Orange County SC (1101) v #15 Portland Timbers 2 (1035)

#7 Tulsa Roughnecks (1098) v #1 Real Monarchs SLC (1064)

#10 Colorado Springs Switchbacks (1092) v #9 Rio Grande Valley (1095)

#5 Sacramento Republic (1109) v #2 San Antonio FC (1150)

Bye Week: #8 Oklahoma City Energy (1096)

Thoughts:

The end of the Real Monarchs winning streak and the San Antonio undefeated streak saw a record breaking eight teams make the Team of the Week in the West as Caesar of Sacramento had the highest points gained in any match as he ended up just shy of the 6000 point mark in his match against Rio Grande Valley.

Which players will continue to make runs at the top of the ratings? Will we see 6000 points be broken at any point this season? Let us know your predictions.