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Mexicans keep taking over MLS, and one in particular continues to build his early case for the league’s MVP. Here’s what we learned from Week 5.
Carlos Vela stays hot
Matias Almeyda’s miserable start to his MLS career continued, as Carlos Vela and LAFC thumped the San Jose Earthquakes 5-0 on Saturday at Avaya Stadium.
There just seems no stopping the Mexican at the moment, notching a hat-trick to increase his goal tally to six on the season. He seems to really be taking this MVP thing seriously, and coach Bob Bradley has to be delighted from what he is seeing from his captain.
Of course, when it comes to Carlos Vela the topic of the Mexico National Team always has to come up. Vela hasn’t ruled out the possibility of talking things through with Gerardo “Tata” Martino if he is needed, but evidently his focus right is with Los Angeles Football Club.
“I know I can be one of the best in this league. I’m trying to show that every game.”
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 30, 2019
Carlos Vela has 6 goals and 3 assists through 5 matches. pic.twitter.com/JSKPrnXEsf
Marco Fabian can ball(?)
After serving a two-game suspension, Marco Fabian marked his return to the starting lineup by scoring in the Philadelphia Union’s 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati. Fabian scored early in the second half to lead his team to consecutive wins for the first time this season. While his goal was no doubt good, his celebration was even better.
Marco Fabian is back!#CINvPHI https://t.co/zE7L3CtrOR
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 31, 2019
Fabian has been a regular at Philadelphia 76ers games since his move to MLS and he seems to have picked up a thing or two. I’m not sure he would get away with that travel, though. He is not James Harden.
Things won’t be as easy for Uriel Antuna
The return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the Galaxy’s starting lineup meant Uriel Antuna returned to his usual role in Sunday’s win over the Portland Timbers. While Antuna didn’t have the worst of games, it was far from the last showing he gave two weeks ago when he grabbed his first assist for los Galacticos.
Antuna was eventually subbed out in the 77th minute for Emmanuel Boateng, who didn't look too bad in the few minutes that he played. As he reiterated postgame two weeks ago, Antuna’s goal has always been to triumph in Europe, but he might soon find himself in competition for his starting role at his current club.