Players of the MLS Matchday 9 – ranked

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Week nine in MLS brought out the spectacular.

There were hattricks, last-minute goals, and a myriad of performances that are worthy of being looked at twice. The players on this list stepped up for their clubs in a big way over the weekend. 

Here at the top five players from week nine…

Mathieu Choiniere gets the game-sealing goal as CF Montreal picks up their second win of the season. Mathieu Choiniere gets the game-sealing goal as CF Montreal picks up their second win of the season.

Mathieu Choiniere gets the game-sealing goal as CF Montreal picks up their second win of the season. / Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to the win column CF Montreal!

After a start to the season that saw them lose four of their last five MLS games, Montreal finally got a win with a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls. It was a complete team effort by Hernan Losada’s men, with a standout performance by midfielder Mathieu Choiniere.

The Canada international was the most influential player on the pitch, ending the game with two chances created, ten recoveries, and a goal to seal all three points.

Montreal will hope this win can kickstart their season after a rough start to the year. 

Carlos GomezCarlos Gomez

Carlos Gomez puts on a Man of the Match performance during Real Salt Lake’s 3-1 vs. San Jose. / Chris Gardner/GettyImages

Real Salt Lake returns to the forefront thanks to their 3-1 win over Western Conference rivals, the San Jose Earthquakes. 

Carlos Gomez stole the show as his performance helped spearhead RSL to their third win of the season. The Colombian winger was quick, effective in the final third, and made of a menace of himself to the San Jose backline.

Gomez ended the game with three created chances, two passes into the final third, a goal, and completed 50% of his dribbles. 

Giacomo Vrioni scores two during the New England Revolution's 2-1 over Sporting KC. Giacomo Vrioni scores two during the New England Revolution's 2-1 over Sporting KC.

Giacomo Vrioni scores two during the New England Revolution’s 2-1 over Sporting KC. / Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Designated Player Giacomo Vrioni put on an attacking masterclass which saw the New England Revolution hold their top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win over struggling Sporting KC.

Vrioni was an important piece to the New England attack, linking up play and making it difficult for the Sporting defense to keep track of him.

The Italy-born, Albania international ended the match with two goals on five total shots with just 25 five touches.

The 24-year-old showed that he is clinical and has all the attributes to be a top striker in the league. 

Santiago Rodriguez has a standout game as NYCFC thrash FC Dallas 3-1. Santiago Rodriguez has a standout game as NYCFC thrash FC Dallas 3-1.

Santiago Rodriguez has a standout game as NYCFC thrash FC Dallas 3-1. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Santiago Rodriguez showed his class once again as NYCFC got their fourth win of the season over FC Dallas.

Normally, lined up as a winger, Rodriguez was deployed as an out and out striker to maximum effect. 

The Uruguay international thrived in this new role, ending the game with three goals, a 97% pass accuracy, and two recoveries. 

This win sees the Pigeons jump to fourth in the Eastern Conference, just three points behind third place side, Atlanta United. 

Mikael Uhre ends his scoring drought with a three-goal performance in the Philadelphia Union's 4-2 win vs. Toronto FC. Mikael Uhre ends his scoring drought with a three-goal performance in the Philadelphia Union's 4-2 win vs. Toronto FC.

Mikael Uhre ends his scoring drought with a three-goal performance in the Philadelphia Union’s 4-2 win vs. Toronto FC. / Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Despite their rocky start to the season that saw them lose three of their first five games, the Philadelphia Union look like their 2022 selves with a 4-2 thrashing over Eastern Conference foes Toronto FC.

Mikael Uhre grabbed all the headlines as the Denmark international smashed in three goals on Toronto’s backline.

Uhre was ruthless in front of goal, making things difficult for his opponents.

Though this victory for the Union sees them earn just their third win of the season, the momentum they will carry going forward, thanks to Uhre’s performance, will propel them to new heights as the year creeps on.