🇺🇸 State of the Union: Hail Bale, Team of the Week, Toronto specials | OneFootball

It was a busy weekend of action in the MLS with Los Angeles FC and Philadelphia Union both notching vital wins in the battle for the Supporters’ Shield.

Oh, yeah, and there was some big transfer news as well …

LAFC land Welsh wizard Bale

In case you missed it (if so, how?), it broke over the weekend that LAFC had pulled off a serious coup by acquiring the services of superstar Gareth Bale.

The former Real Madrid winger may be edging close to 33 now, but with a World Cup in Qatar to prepare for there is no way that he is planning semi-retirement on the West Coast.

The older club in the City of Angels may be called be the Galaxy, but it seems the stars are aligning for the Black and Gold.

Team of the Week

One of Bale’s new team-mates is Diego Palacios, and the 22-year-old was in imperious form as he helped the Western Conference leaders keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 home win over New York Red Bulls.

That display earned him a spot in the MLS Team of the Week, alongside the likes of Toronto veteran Jonathan Osorio and Player of the Week Hany Mukhtar (Nashville).

Not bad company for the young man to be keeping!

Beasts in the East

There was huge drama in the Eastern Conference on Sunday as Philadelphia Union struck at the death to leapfrog New York City FC at the top of the standings.

Cory Burke may have known little about it but his crucial deflection left Jim Curtin’s side leading the way after Week 16.

Keeping up appearances

Another notable name in the Team of the Week is Djordje Petrović, who pulled off some heroics between the sticks to keep Vancouver Whitecaps at bay and earn New England a point from a scoreless draw.

The Revs will hope it is a sign of things to come from the Serbian in the wake of USA goalkeeper Matty Turner’s transfer to Premier League giants Arsenal.

Turner’s arrival was all over the Gunners’ social media on Monday.

And one for all!

It’s safe to say that Toronto fans have taken Lorenzo Insigne to their hearts.

The former Napoli attacker was officially unveiled by the Reds on Monday, and he continued his charm offensive by quoting the club motto.

This deal already looks like a match made in heaven.

Blast from the past

Sticking with Toronto, and Sunday marked the eighth anniversary of this memorable moment in the club’s history.

Jermain Defoe may not have been best pleased with Gilberto’s insistence on taking a free-kick against NY Red Bulls.

Sufficeth to say it was all smiles between the two after the Brazilian’s absolute rocket!

Throwback rack 👕

It was during the 2014 season that TFC sported this magnificent alternative strip.

A grey number with pinstripes, the men from north of the border were suited and booted and dressed to impress in this beauty.

Coming up…