Coming out of the Chicago Fire's decisive 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night, midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri and defender Rafael Czichos have been recognized for their performances with selections to the MLS Team of the Week 22!
Shaqiri has been included in the team's first XI after scoring the opening goal of the match and assisting on the final one. The Swiss Designated Player got things started in the 13th minute, receiving a pass from Federico Navarro and carrying it to the top of the Vancouver 18-yard box before whipping a low, bending shot past 'Caps 'keeper Isaac Boehmer.
Shaqiri also helped put an exclamation on the match in the final minute of regular time, dribbling from the halfway line into the heart of the Vancouver defense before sending Chris Mueller into the box to curl in an impressive finish of his own. Shaqiri currently leads the team in both goals scored (four) and assists (eight) this season.
Prior to Mueller's 90th minute goal, Czichos helped break the deadlock after Vancouver's Lucas Cavallini leveled the score in the 54th minute. The Fire captain, who was named to this week's Team of the Week bench, scored his second goal in as many games with by nodding in a cross from Mueller to put the Fire ahead 2-1 in the 76th.
Aside from the goal, Czichos controlled much of the tempo for the Fire, setting single-match team highs in both touches (114) and completed passes (95) on the night.
Czicho's selection to the Team of the Week is his second straight after additionally earning the weekly honors for scoring the decisive goal and helping keep a clean sheet in the team's 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on July 16.
With their third-straight win behind them, Shaqiri, Czichos and the Fire will now look to make it four when they return home this Saturday, July 30, to face Atlanta United at 4 p.m. CT. Tickets to Saturday's match also include a seat for the Chicago Red Stars vs. San Diego Wave match taking place at Soldier Field immediately following the conclusion of the Fire's match against Atlanta. Purchase your tickets for Saturday's doubleheader here.
Get a look at the rest of the Week 22 Team of the Week below:
