Michael Ciani named to MLS Team of the Week

Très bon Michael Ciani!

The veteran defender has had his share of struggles in a LA Galaxy uniform, but Saturday night at a soggy Talen Energy Stadium the Frenchman rose to the occasion, literally.

The 6’4” center back topped off a solid defensive effort by banging home a point-blank header past a helpless Andre Blake late to secure a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union, thanks in part to Romain Alessandrini’s pinpoint service off the corner kick.

Truth be told the defender will probably never live up to his hefty salary, but there’s no denying the 34-year old has benefitted from consistent playing time, helping Sigi Schmid’s side claw their way back into the playoff picture by mostly ditching the subpar performances which have plagued Ciani in the past.

(Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn’t make the cut despite tallying a goal and assist, but with Josef Martinez bagging a hat trick and Darwin Quintero wrecking the LAFC back line its an understandable omission)