Left-back – Ali Adnan (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Adnan s attacking ability from the back has been critical for Vancouver in 2019. He is one of only three defenders to have completed 20 dribbles and create 10 or more chances this term. On top of that, he is one of four defenders with 100 or more duels won, and the Whitecaps concede more than double the amount of goals per 90 minutes with him off the pitch (0.9 goals conceded per 90 with Adnan on the field, 2.1 per 90 without him).
Central midfield – Jonathan dos Santos (Los Angeles Galaxy)
The Mexico international has become arguably the most intimidating midfield force in MLS this year. He has won a league-best 155 possessions and has 94 tackles and interceptions – no other player has more than 75. Look no further than the club s numbers with Dos Santos on the pitch for his value to the Galaxy. They average 1.4 goals and one conceded per 90 minutes with him playing. By comparison, they score 0.5 goals and let in 2.1 per match without the Mexican.
Central midfield – Eduard Atuesta (Los Angeles FC)
While Carlos Vela gets most of the plaudits for LAFC s success, midfielder Eduard Atuesta has played a vital role linking the offence and defence together. He is the only player averaging more than 100 touches per game (101, to be exact) and is one of two players with more than 150 possessions won. He also has impressive passing statistics, with an overall accuracy of 87.5 per cent and 75.8 per cent in the final third.
Right attacking midfield – Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC)
The easy decision for mid-season MVP, Vela leads MLS in goals with 16 (five more than any other player), assists (10), shots (87 – 26 more than the next best), shots on target (35) and minutes per goal among players with five or more goals. The only question at this point is; how many records will the Mexico international break this year?
26 forward Carlos Vela has 26 goals+assists through 16 games, 11 more than Sebastian Giovinco had through 16 games when he set the single-season record in 2015 with 38. Inconceivable.
— OptaJack (@OptaJack)
Central attacking midfield – Carles Gil (New England Revolution)
The club s lone designated player has lived up to the billing during his first year in New England. He has had a hand in just under half of the Revolution s goals this year (four goals and four assists) and has been an effective pest in the final third, where he has won possession 31 times – eight more than any other MLS player.
Left attacking midfield – Ezequiel Barco (Atlanta United)
Stepping out of the shadow of Miguel Almiron, the 20-year-old has four goals and one assist in eight appearances this year and was coming into his own before leaving for the Under-20 World Cup. He is one of eight players averaging at least three chances created per 90 minutes (3.1) and is one of 12 players to have an xG [expected goals] record of at least two (2.4, tied with Vela for sixth best).
Striker – Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders)
The 28-year-old Peruvian is enjoying his first full season in Seattle, scoring six goals in 10 appearances this year. He boasts a 35.3 per cent shot conversion rate (the second highest among players with six or more goals) and is scoring once every 119 minutes, record bettered by only three players who have netted at least six times. It does not hurt that 20.3 per cent of his touches have come inside the opponent s box this season, the second highest in the league.
Shipp Smith Ruidíaz
Absolutely clinical
SEA 1 | ORL 0
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC)
