MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference combined XI

LAFC and Austin FC lock horns on Sunday within the MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final.

The Western Conference title and, extra importantly, a spot at MLS Cup are each up for grabs, with LAFC heading in as Supporters’ Shield winners and contemporary from beating rivals LA Galaxy. Austin, in the meantime, beat FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake to succeed in this stage after a wonderful common season marketing campaign that noticed them end second within the West.

Both sides are blessed with unbelievable attacking expertise and this conflict has critical potential to be the perfect match of this yr’s Playoffs.

Whet your urge for food for the motion by having a look at our combined XI between LAFC and Austin FC:

GK: Brad Stuver (Austin FC) – Maxime Crepeau is unquestionably one of many higher goalkeepers in MLS, however he is no match for Stuver. The 31-year-old American made 100 saves and stored eight clear sheets throughout the common season, however is greatest identified for his behavior of constructing key saves in enormous moments for Austin.

RB: Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC) – Hollingshead would not appear to be your typical attacking full-back and, certainly, his greatest qualities are defensive ones. The former FC Dallas man is a tricky tackler and robust within the air, however he greater than holds his personal within the closing third and even scored six objectives throughout the common season.

CB: Julio Cascante (Austin FC) – Strong within the air, aggressive on the ground, and calm on the ball, Cascante is all the pieces you’d need from a center-back. The 29-year-old Costa Rican has been virtually ever-present for Austin this season, main their backline with authority.

CB: Jesus Murillo (LAFC) – While Giorgio Chiellini’s arrival stole the limelight, Murillo simply stored on rolling. The Colombian is a bit more old style than Cascante, however his aggressive defensive type is vital to LAFC. He’s additionally glorious at getting beneath the pores and skin of the opposition.

LB: Diego Palacios (LAFC) – With a wand of a left foot and good defensive instincts, Palacios is true up there among the many greatest full-backs in MLS. It’s solely a matter of time till a European crew provides him an opportunity.

CM: Jose Cifuentes (LAFC) – Like Palacios, Cifuentes’ days in MLS really feel numbered. The Ecuador worldwide chimed in with seven objectives and 6 major assists throughout the common season, whereas his ball-carrying and aggressive defending make him the proper midfielder for the Black and Gold. Could Cifuentes be Premier League-bound?

CM: Ilie Sanchez (LAFC) – Losing Eduard Atuesta was at all times going to be powerful for LAFC, however Ilie Sanchez has crammed the hole on the base of midfield completely. The Spaniard’s passing has helped Steve Cherundolo’s males dictate in virtually each recreation they’ve performed and whereas he isn’t precisely aggressive, Ilie’s intelligence helps him break up opposition strikes expertly.

CAM: Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC) – 25 objectives and 5 major assists throughout the common season. Three objectives in two MLS Cup Playoffs video games. An MVP frontrunner. An all-round baller. Does Sebastian Driussi’s inclusion actually need additional rationalization?

RW: Carlos Vela (LAFC) – He won’t be the all-conquering 2019 model, however Vela remains to be able to single-handedly successful any recreation for LAFC and stays among the many most feared forwards within the league. Four objectives and three assists in his final eight video games ought to function proof of that.

ST: Cristian Arango (LAFC) – Despite all people taking him out of their most well-liked LAFC XIs to make room for Gareth Bale, Arango simply stored on banging within the objectives and ended the common season with 17 strikes in 35 video games (29 begins). He additionally grabbed the winner towards the Galaxy within the earlier spherical.

LW: Denis Bouanga (LAFC) – It was actually powerful to go away Diego Fagundez out right here, however in actuality, Denis Bouanga has barely put a foot fallacious since becoming a member of LAFC from St-Etienne. The Gabon worldwide even popped up with two objectives in El Trafico to assist the Black and Gold attain this stage and can undoubtedly trigger some complications for Austin right-back Nick Lima.

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