Three Colorado Rapids were named to the MLS Team of the Week following their dominant 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday night.
Forward Andre Shinyashiki and defender Sam Vines earned their first Team of the Week recognitions of the year, while head coach Robin Fraser earned his second selection as coach of the week.
Vines and Shinyashiki connected for Colorado’s opening goal on Sunday when Vines crossed the ball in for Shinyashiki at the far post after a lengthy spell of possession. It was the fourth goal in six games for the reigning AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year.
For Vines, the assist was his third of the season. The 21-year-old Homegrown also continued his ironman streak, playing all 1440 minutes for Colorado in 2020.
Fraser earned his recognition for the collective defensive effort against one of the highest-scoring teams in MLS. Defender Auston Trusty made his fourth start at center back, while the midfield trio of Cole Bassett, Jack Price and Younes Namli largely contained Sounders playmaker Nico Lodeiro. Forward Nicolás Benezet was included in the starting XI and picked up his third assist of the season on Shinyashiki’s goal.
The Rapids could also win another league recognition this week. Defender Keegan Rosenberry is up for AT&T Goal of the Week for his game-winning strike against Seattle. Rosenberry scored his first goal of the season on a wicked volley from outside the box to make it 2-1. Click here to vote for Keegan Rosenberry.
Team of the Week (3-4-3, right to left): Eloy Room (CLB) - Giancarlo Gonzalez (LA), Walker Zimmerman (NSH), Sam Vines (COL) - Tajon Buchanan (NE), Mauricio Pereyra ORL), Andres Ricaurte (DAL), Fafa Picault (DAL) - Andre Shinyashiki (COL), Valentin Castellanos (NYC), Teal Bunbury (NE)
Coach: Robin Fraser (COL)
Bench: Pedro Gallese (ORL) - Richie Laryea (TOR), Mauricio Pineda (CHI), Alex Ring (NYC), Artur (CLB), Marcelino Moreno (ATL), Yimmi Chara (POR)
The Team of the Week presented by Audi is voted on by the MLSsoccer.com editorial staff.
