You can find last week’s Best XI here, and a full explanation of our methodology here.

East Best XI

Goalkeeper: Matt Pickens, Tampa Bay Rowdies: 2790 pts

Defender: Paco Craig, Louisville City: 3395 pts

Defender: Joel Johnson, Charlotte Independence: 2942.61 pts*

Defender: Wal Fall, Rochester Rhinos: 2630.43 pts*

Defender: Zachary Portillos, Tampa Bay Rowdies: 2505 pts

Midfielder: Alex Morrell, Tampa Bay Rowdies: 4175 pts, Player of the Week

Midfielder: Lewis Hilton, Charlotte Independence: 3760.5 pts*

Midfielder: Emmanuel Appiah, Saint Louis FC: 3155 pts

Midfielder: Gerado Bruna, Ottawa Fury: 2898 pts

Midfielder: Alex Martinez, Charlotte Independence: 2745.93 pts*

Forward: Luke Spencer, Louisville City: 2457 pts

Honorable Mentions

Goalkeeper: Daniel Lynd, Rochester Rhinos: 2430 pts

Defender: Oscar Jimenez, Louisville City: 2477 pts

Midfielder: Paolo Delpiccolo, Louisville City: 2684 pts

Forward: Romeo Parkes: Pittsburgh Riverhounds: 2126 pts

* Denotes average rating, calculated as follows: Rating=1.1*((0.7*max)+(0.3*min))

Thoughts

Tampa Bay and Charlotte lead the way this week, each sending three players to the Best XI, more than any other club in the conference. Louisville features two of their own in the team of the week, while Rochester, Ottawa, and Saint Louis round it out with a player apiece.

Alex Morrell edges out Lewis Hilton to earn player of the week honors. The Rowdies midfielder recorded his first goals of the season, with a brace on Saturday on in a win over Pittsburgh. Lewis Hilton put on an offensive showcase of his own, as he scored two of the four Independence goals against Bethlehem this past weekend.

A shout-out to Emmanuel Appiah of Saint Louis FC, who makes the Eastern Conference Team of the Week in his first appearance for the club. Appiah scored the lone goal on Saturday in Saint Louis’ 1-0 result against Richmond.

What are your thoughts on this week’s Best XI? Which performances stood out to you? Will the dominance of midfielders and defenders continue in the coming weeks for the Eastern Conference? Let us know in the comments below!