As an extension to Canadian Soccer News' MLS Week in Review, we're further detailing the performances of the Canadian players that saw the pitch in MLS this week.
Nana Attakora, Will Johnson, and Dejan Jakovic claim our top three spots for performances of the week.
Find out what they did to deserve standout status and who else either earned their keep in North America this week.
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Nana Attakora
Nana Attakora earns top billing this weekend with his impressive performance in the centre of San Jose’s defense.
Playing on the left of the pairing, alongside Honduran Victor Bernardez, he was physical, but quick, imposing, but not fouling, proving to be the bane of Ryan Johnson all night long and a nuisance when afforded the chance to get forward.
He first warily cut out a Johnson cross bound for the streaking run of Diego Valeri at the edge of the six-yard box, then displayed some excellent hustle to sprint the length of the pitch after an attacking set-piece had been countered to again shut down Johnson, shuttling the ball out for a harmless throw-in. His strength and positioning to repeatedly outmuscle Johnson earned him high-praise from both the San Jose commentators, Frank Yallop – in one of those pointless mid-match interviews – and from MLSsoccer.com, as he was named the third Man of the Match.
He nearly got on the end of a dangerous Shea Salinas right-sided free-kick, rising highest at the back-post, but was unable to keep the header on target. Then he snuffed out another counterattack attempt by reading the threat early and rushing over with a clattering slide – Ryan Johnson again - to knock the ball out and break up the play.
When Diego Chara left a boot in on star-striker, Chris Wondolowski, Nana was right there to grab him by the collar, getting right in there ensure his opponent knew – in no uncertain terms – that that sort of thing was not appreciated.
And finally, it was his desperate touch in the box, after a pair of flicked headers, which may have drawn a penalty kick – he was cleaned out by Mikael Silvestre – had Wondolowski, not collected the touch and teed up Adam Jahn for the late equalizer.
He left a little to be desired on the ball – completing 26 of 38 passes – trying to force difficult passes on occasion, but his eight clearances, five recoveries, five interceptions, and pair of tackles won, helped keep Portland at bay, committing only a single foul, despite his repeated interventions.
All that in only his third appearance of the season – and full ninety – this time in place of the injured Jason Hernandez, repaying coach Frank Yallop’s faith and ensuring the manager has a difficult decision to make when filling out the team-sheet next week, when San Jose are away to Chivas
Will Johnson
Will Johnson again captained the Portland Timbers as part of their two-man midfield shield in front of the back-line.
Midweek, as many were caught by surprise at the expertise shown with his game-winning free-kick - his third goal in as many games to already equal his single-season career-high of from last season - he responded, “I’ve always had the ability to score goals, and it’s nice to be producing for the team.”
He went on to recognize his enhanced role as captain of the Timbers, “Being a leader, I think that puts a little bit of extra pressure on myself and responsibility when a play needs to*be made. I played on a team in Salt Lake where guys, when they needed to step up did, guys who have been*around the block and now I’m that guy. So I have to step up and make plays or will other guys to make plays.*It’s all part of the evolution of my game and becoming a leader here in Portland.”
He was also the centre of attention in an MLSsoccer.com piece about his role as captain.
Back to the match, it became clear quickly that his instructions were more defensive this time, especially given the return of Diego Valeri to the starting eleven, picking up the defensive duties with which the attacking midfielder cannot be burdened.
He was tracking runs into the box, collecting loose balls and cutting out passes all night, he even took it upon himself to mark Wondolowski as the corner kick tally climbed with the Earthquakes sourcing out an equalizing goal.
Early in the match, the Timbers were awarded a dangerous looking free-kick, one atop the right side of the box. Johnson attempted a cheeky threaded ball between the wall and the awaiting cluster, but it was well-read and intercepted by Rafael Baca
He had repeated run-ins with Steven Lenhart – who appeared intent on prizing a pound of flesh for his banished brother, Alan Gordon – and Sam Cronin too, ending in some clattering challenges. Once resulting in a face to face confrontation having previously taken a little kick to the side when he didn’t immediately take a hand offered to help him up from a challenge from the combative forward.
Will did not take the bait, keeping his composure through-out the match, thriving in the competition.
He completed most of his passes – 32 of 38 – made seven recoveries, a pair each of interceptions and clearances, with one tackle, conceding no fouls on the night.
Post-match, when asked about the physicality and directness on display, he calmly responded, as if he hadn’t noticed the battle in which he’d been, “That’s just how San Jose plays each and every week. I didn’t think a lot of what happened last week was going to boil over tonight. It’s just the nature of the game and when you play the same guys two games in a row, it’s bound to get as physical as it did.”
Dejan Jakovic
Dejan Jakovic continued his streak of playing every available minute for DC United – he missed one game, while on international duty in Qatar with Canada in March.
As the left-sided centre-back, paired with Brandon McDonald, his night began poorly – it was his terrible giveaway, trying to thread a careless pass through the midfield, intercepted by Brian Carroll that led to Philadelphia’s opening goal. After that initial error, he was nearly perfect, completing 66 of 72 passes on the night.
Then, on Philadelphia’s second goal, he was a little slow to react to Danny Cruz’s cut-back pass to Conor Casey at the top of the box, pressing up a step late, only to see the big striker’s finish blaze through his spread legs as he lunged in to attempt a block.
He shook off those disappointments quickly, pressing up in attack, swinging the ball along the perimeter of the Union eighteen to fellow centre-back, McDonald, who laid Dwayne De Rosario down to the right end-line, bringing about United’s first goal.
Jakovic put a big tackle in on Cruz in the box, to snuff out any danger, then was fortunate to cut out another pass, after being a little slow to react to another slashing run, and was later booked for a clattering challenge on Casey in transition – his second yellow card of the season. It was the only foul he committed all night, though he won four for his side.
Adapting to the threat of Jack McInerney, he cut out a dangerous long ball, but conceded possession momentarily under pressure, only to recover and poke it away with a wonderful sliding tackle. A talent for finding the ball that he later echoed when Casey tried to waste time in the corner and was abruptly dispossessed by the Canadian defender.
It was a difficult night for DC, but after some early blushes, Jakovic carried himself well, providing nine clearances, six recoveries, and two interceptions as DC sought a way back into the match.
He was featured in a midweek Q&A session at DC United’s website, including some discussion about the Canadian National Team.
Dwayne De Rosario
Dwayne De Rosario made his third start of the season, after subbing on at half-time of DC’s match against New York last weekend.
Deployed as a second forward, free to roam off the shoulder of front-man Lionard Pajoy, he struggled to impose himself on the match the way he usually does. DC’s attack has faltered this season and even De Rosario could not spark it to life single-handedly.
He did tally his first assist of the season, on Perry Kitchen’s goal, collecting a ball from McDonald at the end-line and cleverly laying a pass back to Kitchen at the top of the box – rather than play it across the goalmouth into traffic – for a calm finish.
Somewhat peculiar was that he shied away from a last-minute free-kick attempt just outside the box, within the sort of range that he usually relishes. He again constantly probed the Philadelphia defense with low-percentage passes – completing 29 of 44 – but was unsuccessful in the more dangerous attempts and had two shots from distance blocked.
Again, he was often caught in possession, conceding on eighteen occasions.
Kyle Porter
Kyle Porter made his first MLS start for DC, after four substitute appearances, on the right side of midfield.
He had a nice surging run and dished out to De Rosario from a Philly giveaway after DC had fallen by two – it came to naught in the end. Porter was guilty of over-hitting an early cross attempt – though he went on to hit four of seven successfully - and sent a right-sided driven corner kick way too heavily to the back-post. He completed only half of his passes – 11 of 22 – on the night.
He took a flailing fist to the face from Cruz, drawing blood, but no foul – the foul was called on him for the initial challenge and then ended a potential DC counterattack with poor ball that was easily gobbled up.
He did finally sort out his service late on, when he picked out Pajoy from a corner kick, high to the back-post, but the striker’s header was sent wide. One of his three key passes on the night.
He had trouble with the Philadelphia left-back, Ray Gaddis, who has vastly improved as a defender since last season, most of the night, and was tackled, losing possession nineteen times, mostly as they battled out wide and in the corner. Porter did however contribute six recoveries, collecting loose balls in the midfield.
Again Porter & De Rosario nearly linked up at the near-post, reminiscent of last weekend’s attempt. A long ball from Kitchen and some fancy work from Porter saw him past Gaddis to deliver a low ball towards his Canadian teammate attacking the area. Dwayne whiffed at the service, which fell to Chris Pontius, whose attempt was blocked by Sheanon Williams.
Russell Teibert
Russell Teibert made his third straight start for Vancouver, maintaining his role on the left-side of the advanced pair in Vancouver’s three-man midfield.
He, as the rest of the team did that night, struggled with the pace of Dallas and with a new left-sided partner, Matt Watson. They had difficulty deciding who should track the runs of the tricky Jackson when left-back, Alain Rochat, was caught up-field, leading to a few dangerous open runs from the speedy Brazilian.
Teibert was off-target with both a cross and a shot – set up at the top of the box by an Erik Hurtado cut-back, but he couldn’t get his foot around the ball, sending his effort high and well-wide. He completed only 9 of 14 passes and was tackled in possession six times.
He contributed three recoveries, and a pair each of interceptions and clearances, as well as blocking a shot before he was replaced by Darren Mattocks after 58 minutes when Martin Rennie attempted to change the flow of the match with a pair of substitutions.
All told, a quiet and disappointing night for the youngster, who had performed so well in his previous two matches.
Jonathan Osorio
Jonathan Osorio replaced Luis Silva in the centre of the Toronto midfield after 74 minutes for his sixth appearance of the season. He struggled to get into the rhythm of the match – completing only 6 of 11 passes, though he was the only player brave enough to attempt a raking cross-field ball for the repeatedly open Hogan Ephraim on the left, in the swirling and howling winds at BMO Field.
He won a tackle, made a recovery, hit a pair of unsuccessful crosses and conceded possession five times, as Houston clawed their way back into the match.
Doneil Henry
Doneil Henry similarly had little impact after coming on for the injured Logan Emory in the 89th minute of the match, assuming the right-back position and forcing Ryan Richter over to the left-side.
He only completed 1 of 5 passes, though those were hopeful long balls put back into traffic or similar headed knocks. He lost his mark, Eric Brunner, on the late equalizer, but that had little to do with the concession.
Kyle Bekker was held in reserve on the Toronto bench.
Toronto’s Terry Dunfield (left knee sprain) and Emery Welshman (right ankle sprain) were still listed as ‘OUT’ on the injury report.
While Ashtone Morgan was suspended after his accumulative red card in Philadelphia; Montreal – Patrice Bernier, Karl Ouimette, and Wandrille Lefevre – had a bye weekend.