Mbokazi named in MLS Team of the Week

South African centre back Mbekezeli Mbokazi was named in Major League Soccer’s Team of the Week after a strong showing for Chicago Fire in Saturday’s 2-0 away victory over Montreal.

The 20-year-old Mbokazi arrived in the US at the start of the season and has played in 11 of Chicago’s 13 league games this season as they sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

His teammate Chris Brady was also selected to the team. MLS announces a best XI after every weekend’s round of fixtures.

Mbokazi was named in the league-wide list after the Chicago defence kept their sixth clean sheet of the season against Montréal. It’s the second Team of the Matchday mention for the former Orlando Pirates defender after being selected to the bench following a goal-line save on Matchday 7.

The MLS Team for Matchday 14 is as follows:

Goalkeeper: Chris Brady (Chicago)

Defenders: Morrison Agyemang (Charlotte), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake),

Midfielders: Carles Gil (New England), Guilherme (Houston), Lionel Messi (Miami), Gabriel Pec (Los Angeles)

Forwards: Tom Barlow (Cincinnati), Marcus Ingvartsen (San Diego), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville)