TEAM OF THE WEEK | Spring Season Week 5

In Week 5 of the Spring Season, it was defenders that provided the attacking punch. Tampa Bay Rowdies' Neill Collins, Ottawa Fury FC's Fernando Timbó, and Indy Eleven's Nemanja Vukovic were all on target in their team's wins. 

Find out the other Team of the Week selections below:   

GK: Jimmy Maurer (New York Cosmos) – He made several critical saves in the match's waning moments, first parrying Brian Shriver’s close-range effort past the far post to safety and then tipping James Marcelin’s shot over the bar. Maurer also made a sliding challenge way out of his box to stop Tiyi Shipalane from bearing down with no defenders in the 1-0 win over the Carolina RailHawks.

DEF: Neill Collins (Tampa Bay Rowdies) – The Scottish defender won five duels, made six interceptions and seven clearances, while scoring the lone goal with a looping header in the 1-0 win over the club’s long-time rivals, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

DEF: Fernando Timbó (Ottawa Fury FC) – Putting in a solid shift at the back, he won both of his tackle attempts and five of his six duels, while making four clearances and three interceptions. More importantly, Timbó found the back of the net in the first half to set Ottawa on its way to its first win of the season in the 2-0 victory over Miami FC.

DEF: Nemanja Vukovic (Indy Eleven) – He won his two tackles and three of his four duels and made five interceptions. Vukovic drew a free kick late in the match after nutmegging a Rayo OKC player, drawing a foul before getting on the end of the ensuing free kick and firing into the bottom corner for the winning goal in a 2-1 victory.

MID: Niko Kranjčar (New York Cosmos) – The Croatian international put in a strong shift for the Cosmos in the win over Carolina. He created three chances and nearly missed a goal when his blast caromed off the cross bar. He was also tidy in possession as he completed 42 of his 47 passes.  

MID: Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Indy Eleven) – He created three chances in the match, sending a long ball that Jair Reinoso struck brilliantly on the half volley to open the scoring in the win over Rayo OKC.

MID: Eric Avila (Tampa Bay Rowdies) – With the match against the Strikers heading towards a deadlock, Avila whipped in an inch-perfect cross that found the head of Collins for the game-winner.

MID: Yohandry Orozco (New York Cosmos) – Making his first start on the season, Orozco took home Player of the Week honors after a stunning game-winner against the RailHawks.

MID: Lance Rozeboom (Ottawa Fury FC) – He helped stifle Miami FC’s attacks in Ottawa’s first win of the year. He won five duels and two tackles, while making two clearances and three interceptions from his holding midfield role.

FWD: Jair Reinoso (Indy Eleven) – The Colombian forward took his opportunity on goal clinically, firing a half volley past Rayo OKC goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes to help Indy remain unbeaten.  

FWD: Billy Forbed (Rayo OKC) – The Turks and Caicos international was a dangerous outlet for Rayo OKC all game long and tested Indy's back line time and time again. Forbes fired six shots in the match. Rayo OKC, though, fell to the Boys in Blue.