Portland Timbers defender Nat Borchers registered the game-winning goal in the final seconds of second-half stoppage time to help the team record a key 1-0 win against Real Salt Lake on the road over the weekend. The late-match heroics, combined with his efforts in helping the club earn a third straight clean sheet, landed Borchers on the MLS Team of the Week for Week 24.
On the bench is goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey, who registered his league-leading 11th shutout of the season, making five saves. Portland's backline has not conceeded a goal since July 25, a span of 273 minutes.
Additionally, Robbie Keane scored both goals for the Galaxy in their statement win over FC Dallas, while Bradley Wright-Phillips led the line for a Red Bulls team that dominated Toronto FC at home. Read on to find out who else made the Team of the Week:
GK: Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) – Sure he conceded three goals, but Johnson was in the zone in the game's final minutes, making multiple incredible saves.
D: Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes) – When he scores, it’s a winner, and Goodson grabbed his second this year for the Quakes in the win against the Rapids, helping preserve the shutout as well.
D: Nat Borchers (Portland Timbers) – Grabbed the dramatic game-winner and anchored the Timbers back line that kept RSL off balance in their attack all night.
D: Jose Goncalves (New England Revolution) – Almost had a couple of moments where he lost the ball in dangerous spots but was otherwise solid defensively and scored the game-winner with a well-taken effort.
M: Cristian Maidana (Philadelphia Union) – Three assists says it all. He controlled the midfield and was deadly on the counter in the Union's 3-3 draw.
M: Paulo Nagamura (Sporting Kansas City) – Scored the game-tying and game-winning goals in the final 10 minutes. That's really all you have to say.
M: Kwadwo Poku (New York City FC) – The most consistent player on the field for NYCFC in their win over D.C., Poku scored a goal and an assist and displayed some of the skills that make him a fan favorite.
M: Kekuta Manneh (Vancouver Whitecaps) – He was a menace to SKC all night, picking off errant passes and starting attacks from the left side. He scored twice and nearly had a hat trick in the Whitecaps' loss in Kansas City.
F: Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders) – Didn’t miss a beat on his return from injury, netting two goals against a hapless Orlando defense and receiving a deserved standing ovation.
F: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) – In his 100th MLS regular-season game, Keane showed what made him so great through his first 99: He scored both of LA's goals in their 2-1 win.
F: Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls) - Was a menacing presence to the Toronto FC back line in the Red Bulls' 3-0 win. Scored just one goal, but his affect on the game was much greater.
Coach: Sigi Schmid (Seattle Sounders) - Neatly got Martins, Román Torres and Nelson Valdez into the starting lineup in what became a trouncing of Orlando City.
Bench:Adam Kwarasey (Portland Timbers), Robbie Rogers (LA Galaxy), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Tommy McNamara (New York City FC), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Kennedy Igboananike (Chicago Fire)
