United midfielder Luciano Acosta, goalkeeper Bill Hamid and midfielder Paul Arriola were all named to MLS' Team of the Week for Week 27 following a statement 3-1 victory over visiting Atlanta United Sunday night at Audi Field.
Acosta's brace provided the offensive spark for United while Hamid's six saves shut down the best offensive team in the league. Arriola, who was recently called up to the U.S. Men's National Team, made his first start at right back this season and was a spark plug all over the field. His run into the box also drew a critical Atlanta penalty that resulted in Wayne Rooney's go-ahead goal Sunday.
The 24-year-old Argentine got the Black-and-Red on the board early when a goal kick from Hamid found Rooney past midfield, who flicked a perfect header to a streaking Acosta. With two Atlanta defenders closing in, Acosta made a move to open up some space for himself and get Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan leaning in the wrong direction, which provided just enough space for Acosta to slot in the first of his two goals.
Acosta placed the exclamation point on the massive win at the 77th minute when Rooney again found him running into space. After perfectly timing his run, Acosta slipped past the Atlanta defense and again found himself facing minimal resistance on the way to his first brace of the season.
Meanwhile, Hamid held the line to the tune of six saves off of seven shots on target. United's Homegrown hero was a key part of shutting down league-leading goal scorer Josef Martinez, who had his nine-game goalscoring streak snapped at Audi Field Sunday. Hamid came up the biggest, though, when he reached to deny Kevin Kratz on a late-game Atlanta free kick.
Though Arriola did not feature on the score sheet, the young American midfielder stepped up in a big way when his slotted in at right back for the first time this season in place of Oniel Fisher. Arriola's trademark pace and work rate helped hold Atlanta's attack in check, and when he charged in to the offensive half at the 52nd minute, his run into the penalty area drew the penalty that would lead to Rooney's go-ahead goal.
"His positioning was good, he made timely challenges in the box," Olsen told the media after the match. "He let the game tell him when to get forward."
This is the fifth and third time Acosta and Arriola have been named to MLS' Team of the Week respectively. It is Hamid's first selection since returning to the team on August 8.
The rest of MLS' Team of the Week can be seen below.
Team of the Week: Jefferson Savarino (RSL), Carlos Vela (LAFC), Damir Kreilach (RSL), Albert Rusnak (RSL), Vako (SJ), Osvaldo Alonso (SEA), Luciano Acosta (D.C.), Brad Smith (SEA), Rod Fanni (MTL), Harrison Afful (CLB), Bill Hamid (D.C.).
Coach: Remi Garde (MTL)
Bench:Tyler Miller (LAFC), Paul Arriola (D.C.), Diego Chara (POR), Yordy Reyna (VAN), Justin Meram (CLB), Ignacio Piatti (MTL), CJ Sapong (PHI)
