Everyone loves a great assist, and there have been plenty at the MLS is Back Tournament. Ahead of Tuesday's final between the Portland Timbers and Orlando City SC, we had MLSsoccer.com's Matthew Doyle break down some of the best in the Top Assists Pres. by Wells Fargo.
Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union)
This pass never happens if he's not so good at receiving the ball in the first place. He sets up the defender by shaping his body as if he's going to receive the ball with his right foot, which induces Zusi to overcommit. But instead, Aaronson lets the ball run across his body and receives it with his left foot, which sets him up to step through the challenge and directly into zone 14 before carving out a De Bruyne special right through the defense.
Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Portland Timbers)
I love this one because Niezgoda shows an understanding of the threat he poses to the NYCFC backline. They are going to sell out to stop him from shooting, which means all it needs to be is a touch directly into the spot Callens just vacated.
It looks simple, but if it was simple we'd see it all the time. This is brilliant.
Yordy Reyna (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Thequintessential "the run makes the pass" assist. As soon as Yordy Reyna — who's not a center forward, but is playing one here — checks back to the ball and controls, Cristian Dajome is starting his run, and even has the cleverness to slow just for a second so as he's not offside. There is such a small margin here to create a goal, but Reyna (control, spin, through-ball) and Dajome (perfect timing on his run) play it perfectly.
Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes)
The overhead view on this shows the genius of Espinoza's looping run, as he actually strays offside then comes back on just long enough for Yueill to play a one-time through-ball with his left foot into a huge gap. There is only one chance to turn this sequence into a goal and the Quakes took it.
Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC)
I adore this one because of the interplay between Pozuelo & Piatti off the ball before Piatti even receives the pass, and then how Piatti slows up and cuts inside to give time for Pozuelo to overlap. And as that's happening, Akinola reads the whole thing — as soon as Piatti cuts inside, Ayo immediately shapes his run to the back post because he already knows that's where Pozuelo's cross is going to be.
Best of the Rest
Jose Cifuentes (LAFC)
Inch-perfect through-ball that cuts out the entire Galaxy midfield and backline, and picks out Rodriguez at a full sprint in on goal. This is exactly how you're supposed to punish a team that's pushing numbers up in search of an equalizer. Cifuentes is entirely aware of how much room he has so he doesn't rush, but also he doesn't give the Galaxy time to recover.
Cristian Pavon (LA Galaxy)
I love this one because of Chicharito's run. Just perfect fundamentals and timing in understanding that the Timbers are going to leave the near post open.
Romain Metanire (Minnesota United)
Ethan Finlay makes the same run as Chicharito here, understanding that the defense is going to move away from that spot and that if Metanire gets to the endline, the pullback is on.
Victor Ulloa (Inter Miami CF)
Worth a mention because of the nicely timed delayed run and the neat interplay in the box. This is gorgeous.
