TEAM OF THE WEEK | Week 5

Jacksonville Armada FC forward Alhassane Keita, FC Edmonton midfielder Lance Laing, and Atlanta Silverbacks goalkeeper Steward Ceus headline the NASL Team of the Week after turning in strong performances over the weekend.

Keita scored a stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 win over the San Antonio Scorpions, while Laing chipped in with a goal and an assist against Minnesota United FC. Between the posts, Ceus posted his second consecutive clean sheet, thwarting a dangerous Fort Lauderdale Strikers attack in a 0-0 draw.

Here is the full NASL Team of the Week following this weekend’s action:

GK: Steward Ceus (Atlanta Silverbacks) – Steward Ceus has played 180 minutes this season since returning from injury, and he has yet to give up a goal. The Haitian international earns Team of the Week honors for the second straight week after making four key saves in a scoreless draw with the Strikers. The result kept the Silverbacks unbeaten through five matches.

DEF: Frankie Sanfilippo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers) – The Strikers had yet to keep a clean sheet going into their match with the Silverbacks, but they were able to change that with a strong defensive effort. In the heart of the hosts’ defense was veteran Frankie Sanfilippo, who organized the back line and neutralized the Silverbacks’ attacking efforts throughout the match.

DEF: Samuel Cáceres (New York Cosmos) – When the opening whistle blew in his NASL debut on Saturday, Samuel Cáceres became the first Paraguyan to play in the NASL Modern Era. Filling in for the injured Roversío, Cáceres put in a strong shift at center back and helped the Cosmos add another clean sheet to their total this season. The 26-year-old defender nearly scored as well, almost making Saturday a true dream debut.

DEF: Daniel Scott (Carolina RailHawks) – The RailHawks earned a point at home against the third-place Rowdies on Saturday, and center back Daniel Scott was a big reason why. The Maui native put in a strong defensive performance to help contain a dangerous Tampa Bay attack that has already scored three goals in two different matches this season.

MID: Martin Núñez (Tampa Bay Rowdies) – Martin Núñez scored a key equalizer for the second straight week, and in Saturday’s case, it helped the Rowdies earn a point away from home against one of his former clubs, the RailHawks. The Uruguayan fired home a half-volley following a cross from teammate Georgi Hristov to even the score midway through the match.

MID: Marcos Flores (Jacksonville Armada FC) – Playing as the central attacking midfielder in Armada FC’s 4-3-3 formation, Marcos Flores changed the match with his creativity. An example of that was the Argentine’s pass to Pascal Millien for the match’s opening goal in the fourth minute. Jacksonville would go onto win the clash, scoring in second-half stoppage time to earn a dramatic 2-1 result.

MID: Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United) – Miguel Ibarra didn’t waste any time putting his name on the scoresheet in Edmonton on Sunday. Just two minutes into the match, the U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder beat former teammate Matt VanOekel to give United a 1-0 lead. The California native put in a solid shift in the Loons’ 2-2 draw with FC Edmonton, and with a goal and an assist in his last two matches, Ibarra looks to be coming into form in 2015.  

MID: Lance Laing (FC Edmonton) – Lance Laing continued his sparkling run of form on Sunday, scoring a spectacular free kick and adding an assist in a 2-2 draw against visiting Minnesota United. After curling in the equalizer from a free kick, the Jamaican international found teammate Tomi Ameobi for a goal that gave the Eddies a 2-1 lead. Minnesota’s late equalizer from the penalty spot forced them to settle for a point, however.

FWD: Alhassane Keita (Jacksonville Armada FC) – With time running out in Armada FC’s first match at Community First Park, a draw seemed to be the most likely result. That was until second-half substitute Akeil Barrett created space and played Alhassane Keita through on goal with just a minute left in stoppage time. The Guinean international made no mistake with the finish, scoring a dramatic winner to give Armada FC a 2-1 victory over the Scorpions.

FWD: Tomi Ameobi (FC Edmonton) – Since being inserted into the Eddies’ starting lineup, Tomi Ameobi has been on fire. The England native has linked up well with Laing, and the two combined for FC Edmonton’s second goal of the match on Sunday. On top of the goal, Ameobi caused problems for the Minnesota back line all game long and nearly converted after stealing a back pass, only to see it ricochet off the inside of the post.  

FWD: Lucky Mkosana (New York Cosmos) – In his second start as a member of the New York Cosmos, Lucky Mkosana made sure that his name ended up on the scoresheet. The Zimbabwe native linked up well with Leo Fernandes throughout their time on the pitch together, and it was Fernandes who picked out Mkosana’s run for the match’s only goal. The 27-year-old forward took a good first touch before firing the ball into the back of the net for the eventual winner in the Cosmos’ 1-0 victory over Ottawa Fury FC.