LAFC center back Giorgio Chiellini showed age is but a number headlining the Team of the Matchday presented by Audi for Matchday 2. Chiellini scored LAFC’s opener in a 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers, marking the 38-year-old Italy and Juventus legend’s first goal since coming to MLS last summer. Layer in his lockdown defense and distribution from the back, and it’s easy to see why LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo called Chiellini “a step ahead of everybody else” after the reigning MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield winners received championship rings Saturday afternoon. Forward Mahala Opoku made the bench after scoring a goal to put LAFC up 3-0 on Portland.
Here's the rest of the team:
Team of the Matchday (4-4-2, left to right): William Yarbrough (COL) - Alex Roldan (SEA), Giorgio Chiellini (LAFC), Alexander Ring (ATX), Brandon Bye (NE) - Lucas Zelarayán (CLB), Eduard Löwen (STL), Fabian Herbers (CHI), Rodolfo Pizarro (MIA) - Jesús Ferreira (DAL), Jeremy Ebobisse (SJ)
Coach: Phil Neville (MIA)
Bench: Sean Johnson (TOR), Sean Nealis (RBNY), Carlos Akapo (SJ), Jean Mota (MIA), Paxton Pomykal (DAL), Dylan Borrero (NE), Kwadwo Opoku (LAFC), Jordan Morris (SEA), Maxi Urruti (ATX)
