On Independence Day, Americans expect to see fireworks. For fans in Columbus and Dallas, they saw just that, as two dynamic duos put on a show on their home fields.
At Toyota Stadium, two South American dynamos gave FC Dallas all that they could ask for in a 3-0 win over the New England Revolution. After a rough stretch, Mauro Díaz and Fabián Castillo are rounding into form once again for Oscar Pareja, as Díaz contributed on all three of Dallas' goals while Castillo scored one of his own.
About 1,000 miles north, another electrifying duo were letting their voices be heard. The Columbus Crew SC's Kei Kamara and Ethan Finlay currently lead the league in goals and assists, respectively, but on Saturday night, they changed roles. Finlay scored both goals in the Crew's win over the Red Bulls, while Kamara turned provider, assisting on both of Finlay's goals.
Read on to find out who else made the Team of the Week for Week 18:
GK: Josh Saunders (New York City FC) - He recorded eight saves to preserve the NYCFC win despite Montreal firing off 25 shots.
D: Tyrone Mears (Seattle Sounders) - Scored his first goal in MLS, which just happened to be the winner for the Sounders against D.C. United.
D: Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes) - In the Quakes' loss in Portland, Goodson was a standout marshalling the San Jose back line.
D: Seb Hines (Orlando City) - Down a man for the entire second half, Hines led the Orlando City defense to a draw in Sandy.
M: Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew SC) - The league's leading assist man tried his hand at scoring some goals of his own on Saturday night, netting twice in a win over the Red Bulls.
M: Vicente Sánchez (Colorado Rapids) – Scored an important opening goal for the Rapids. Also showed his trickery on the ball and harried the Whitecaps' defense with his intelligent movement along and between the lines in Colorado's 2-1 win.
M: Mauro Díaz (FC Dallas) – The "Díaz Show" was on full display against the Revolution, as the Argentine weaved through New England's defense all night, ending up with a goal and an assist.
M: Fabián Castillo (FC Dallas) – The Revolution could not deal with the Colombian's speed on Saturday, as Castillo wreaked havoc all night for FC Dallas.
F: David Villa (New York City FC) – Two goals say it all, and he did it with world-class strikes.
F: Kei Kamara (Columbus Crew SC) - Kamara's development as a true No. 9 has been one of the stories of MLS this season, and he had a great night against the Red Bulls, collecting two assists.
F: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) - Showed his ability to score by linking up with teammates, by using individual guile and by converting a PK to lift LA past Toronto. If Keane’s fully back, watch out, MLS.
Coach: Oscar Pareja (FC Dallas) - El Profe had his two stars going full throttle Saturday night as FC Dallas collected their second consecutive win.
Bench:Tally Hall (Orlando City), Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers), Sam Cronin (Colorado Rapids), Baggio Husidic (LA Galaxy), Tony Tchani (Columbus Crew SC), Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake), Patrick Nyarko (Chicago Fire)
