Another matchday, another Loon on the Team of the Matchday. It’s like clockwork at this point! After showing his quality in MNUFC’s 2-1 win against Atlanta United this weekend, defender Kervin Arriaga earned a starting spot in TOTM 12.

While his go-ahead goal in the 54th minute is the easiest contribution to track on the stat sheet, it was once again Arriaga’s defensive efforts that caught the eye on Saturday. The Honduran international has been thriving in a three-center-back setup this week alongside Michael Boxall and Miguel Tapias. Immense in the air, solid one-on-one, and with a motor that never quits, he’s been an extremely valuable addition to a back line that has been riddled with injuries and absences throughout the start of the season.

Since sliding into the back line, Arriaga has helped the Loons to three straight wins, beginning with their 3-0 triumph against Charlotte. His defensive prowess, combined with the foot skills of a midfielder, makes him a force in the back while giving the Loons a playmaker deeper than most teams are used to seeing. It seems that Arriaga was tailor-made for his current role; it’ll be exciting to see what he does from here.

What a week for Kerv! A newborn baby boy at home, a goal on the road, an integral piece of the club’s best start to an MLS season, and now a spot on the TOTM. Congratulations, Kervin; we’re looking forward to more stellar performances in the games to come.

F: Luis Suárez (MIA), Sam Surridge (NSH), Lionel Messi (MIA)

M: Federico Bernardeschi (TOR), Cole Bassett (COL), Matias Rojas (MIA), Cristian Espinoza (SJ)

D: Brayan Vera (RSL), Rodrigues (SJ), Kervin Arriaga (MIN)

GK: Roman Bürki (STL)

Coach: Luchi Gonzalez (SJ)

Bench: Brad Stuver (ATX), Walker Zimmerman (NSH), Nikola Petkovic (CLT), Jack McGlynn (PHI), Emil Forsberg (RBNY), Luciano Acosta (CIN), Jared Stroud (DC), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Tomás Chancalay (NE)