VANCOUVER, BC – MLS Defender of the Year contender Ranko Veselinović has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for his performance in the club's 1-1 road draw at Houston Dynamo FC in Matchday 33. This was the third time this season that Veselinovic was selected to the Team of the Matchday.
Veselinović put in an outstanding performance, denying Houston on multiple occasions with brilliant defending in the box. The Serbian had 98 per cent passing accuracy, nine clearances, and two blocks, and 14 defensive actions.
Whitecaps FC have had 10 different players selected to the MLS Team of the Matchday this season. Captain Ryan Gauld leads the way with his 10 selections (Matchday 7, Matchday 10, Matchday 15, Matchday 17, Matchday 18, Matchday 20, Matchday 24, Matchday 26, Matchday 30, Matchday 32), followed by forward Brian White (Matchday 5, Matchday 11, Matchday 23, Matchday 26), Veselinovic (Matchday 8, Matchday 27, Matchday 33), forward Fafa Picault (Matchday 7, Matchday 28). goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (Matchday 8, Matchday 24), midfielder Alessandro Schöpf (Matchday 8), wingback Ali Ahmed (Matchday 4), defender MathÃas Laborda (Matchday 24), midfielder Pedro Vite (Matchday 30), and defender Tristan Blackmon (Matchday 31).
Team of the Matchday (3-4-3, left to right): Andrew Rick (PHI) - Pedro Amador (ATL), Jakob Glesnes (PHI), Andrés Herrera (CLB) - Evander (POR), Erik Thommy (SKC), Yuya Kubo (CIN), Facundo Torres (ORL) - Anderson Julio (RSL), Alan Pulido (SKC), Jordan Morris (SEA)
Coach: Phil Neville (POR)
Bench: Brad Stuver (ATX), Ranko Veselinović (VAN), Nathan Saliba (MTL), Carles Gil (NE), Alexey Miranchuk (ATL), David MartÃnez (LAFC), Jonathan RodrÃguez (POR), Cucho Hernández (CLB), Tai Baribo (PHI)
