USL Feature
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Seattle Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso has built a big reputation in Major League Soccer since his move to the top flight from the Charleston Battery. This week, he earned his fourth MLS Team of the Week selection after a standout performance in the Sounders’ 2-0 victory against Cascadia rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps.
A part of the MLS All-Star Team that defeated Chelsea 3-2 a month ago, Alonso has again been a key cog for the Sounders, as evidenced on Saturday afternoon at CenturyLink Field. In addition to being the shield that helped limit the Whitecaps to five shots, none of which forced a save from Michael Gspurning, Alonso’s passing vision was also on display as he picked out Brad Evans late in the contest, with the former Orange County Blue Star standout centering for Eddie Johnson to score the Sounders’ second goal.
This week, however, Alonso wasn’t the only former Battery player honored, as 2010 USL Second Division MVP Lamar Neagle was also selected after he recorded a brilliant finish in the Montreal Impact’s surprising 3-1 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes.
After being acquired in a trade this offseason, Neagle has proven a useful piece in the Impact’s inaugural season in the top flight, making nine starts and 19 appearances while recording two goals and two assists from his midfield role. With Patrice Bernier, who began his career with the Impact in the A-League before heading to Europe, leading the club with seven goals – and also earning Team of the Week honors on Tuesday – Montreal has found uncommon success for an expansion side, currently sitting one place out of the playoffs while going 9-2-3 at home.
Former PDL alums were also honored on the Team of the Week, with Chicago Fire PDL alum Chris Rolfe now starring for the club’s senior team. Rolfe earned a penalty that he then converted himself as the Fire took a 2-1 victory against the New England Revolution, bolstering their playoff position with 10 games to go in the season.
Former Orange County Blue Star standout Sal Zizzo also earned a nod for the Portland Timbers, putting in a pair of strong performances on his side’s trip to the east coast. While the Timbers took only a point from their two games, Zizzo gave them a chance to win both, scoring a goal in a 2-2 draw at Toronto and assisting on both goals as the Timbers took a two-goal lead at the New York Red Bulls, only to fall 3-2 in the end.