Two MNUFC players highlight the MLS Team of the Week for Week 30. Midfielders Romario Ibarra and Darwin Quintero teamed up on two of the Loons’ three goals, leading the team to victory over Portland Timbers at home.
Romario makes his first appearance on the Team of the Week since joining the Loons in July. He first got on the board just 18 minutes into the game, finishing off an easy tap-in to beat a sliding defender on the goal line. It took another 18 minutes to get his brace, sprinting to catch a through pass and smashing it past the goalkeeper in stride. He had to be subbed off due to injury following the play, but had already lifted MNUFC on its way to its 10th win of the season.
Quintero makes his fifth appearance in the Team of the Week, last featuring in Week 21. The Colombian took the role of playmaker once again for the Loons, assisting both of Romario’s goals this past weekend and setting a new club career assist record. He beat a defender and drew out the goalkeeper to set up a nearly empty-net shot for his teammate’s first goal. A heads-up play created the second chance, pouncing on a loose ball in the midfield and playing a long ball over the top for Romario to get his second of the half.
See the full Team of the Week below:
F: R. Ibarra (MIN), Kamara (LA), Simpson (PHI)
M: Almiron (ATL), Quintero (MIN), Higuain (CLB), Urruti (DAL)
D: Zimmerman (LAFC), Trusty (PHI), Gressel (ATL)
GK: McCarthy (PHI)
Bench: Rimando (RSL), Spector (ORL), Polo (POR), Hansen (CLB), Villalba (ATL), Wright-Phillips (RBNY), Martinez (ATL)
Coach: Jim Curtin (PHI)
