If you blinked, you might have missed the quick, (not-so-)subtle ways in which FC Dallas’ Mauro Diaz changed — and won — FCD’s matchup with the LA Galaxy on Saturday night.
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Diaz’s final 15 minutes had, in my opinion, a greater impact on his respective game than any other MLS player’s entire 90 minutes this weekend. Once Bruce Arena chose to — for whatever reason — open up the center of midfield, Diaz made the most of his 15 minutes of space and made a pair of masterful assists to complete the 2-1 comeback over the defending champs.
[ MORE: Team of the Week — Kamara, BWP and Mauro headline Week 10 TOTW ]
The only thing more graceful and pinpoint than Diaz’s second assist, to Tesho Akindele (below video), was the dinked through ball, through traffic and to the feet of Blas Perez (above video). Diaz continues to change games when healthy, which considering Saturday’s performance, needs to be more often.
MLS Players of the Week
Week 1: Tyler Deric, Houston Dynamo
Week 2: Chris Wondolowski, San Jose Earthquakes
Week 3: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
Week 4: Kaka, Orlando City SC
Week 5: Harrison Shipp, Chicago Fire
Week 6: Jaime Penedo, LA Galaxy
Week 7: Fabian Castillo, FC Dallas
Week 8: Ethan Finlay, Columbus Crew SC
Week 9: Fabian Castillo, FC Dallas