After a stellar team performance this past Saturday in the Loons’ 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City, two of the club’s standouts have found themselves on the MLS Team of the Matchday lineup. As they have throughout this season, striker Tani Oluwaseyi, who is amongst the starting XI, and defensive midfielder/centerback Kervin Arriaga made their presence felt on the pitch, with both of the boys finding the net at points in the evening.
First amongst them to strike was Oluwaseyi in the 33rd minute when a deadeye cross courtesy of Bongi Hlongwane was perfectly placed for a header that was truly a thing of beauty. He flashed more of his incredible athleticism on Robin Lod’s score in the 67th minute, with Oluwaseyi getting on the end of a long throw-in over the top, turning his defender with ease, and connecting a low cross right into Lod’s run. It’s not really much of a secret anymore, but the kid has shown himself to be a key member for a Loons’ squad that has been able to be relied on in clutch moments. Plus, after Monday morning’s announcement that Oluwaseyi has been called up to international duty for the Canadian Men’s National Team, the young gun is clearly getting attention outside of Minnesota for his spectacular season so far.
Not to be outdone, Arriaga continued to keep his stock rising on Saturday when the Honduran would add more misery to SKC keeper Tim Melia’s evening in the 83rd minute. Unmarked and unfazed, Arriaga was able to get the ball under control with his chest before unleashing a line-drive laser that would widen the MNUFC lead to 3-0. Like Oluwaseyi, Arriaga has been a pivotal member of the club’s roster in 2024, both from a defensive standpoint and on the attack. And, it’s especially great to see him flourishing after a promising 2023 season was plagued by injury. His bounceback season has helped keep the boys up near the top of the conference, as the duo helped get the squad get back on track after dropping the previous match to LAFC.
Nice work, fellas…keep on ballin’!
MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday no.18:
F: Cristian Arango (RSL), Alonso Martínez (NYC), Tani Oluwaseyi (MIN)
M: Liel Abada (CLT), Carles Gil (NE), Santiago Rodríguez (NYC), Lionel Messi (MIA)
D: Jordi Alba (MIA), Maxime Chanot (LAFC), John Tolkin (RBNY)
GK: Aljaz Ivacic (NE)
Coach: Nick Cushing (NYC)
Bench: Hugo Lloris (LAFC), Kervin Arriaga (MIN), Héctor Herrera (HOU), Mateusz Klich (DC), Brian Gutiérrez (CHI), Maxi Moralez (NYC), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Anderson Julio (RSL)
