Nicolás Figal has been named as a starter on the MLS Team of the week presented by Audi for Week 23 of the 2021 season. The defender was selected following a standout performance against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, in which he provided the game-winning assist in the 90th minute.
Figal’s assist was his second of 2021, while he also helped the team keep a clean sheet for the second match in a row, leading the match with six interceptions and winning possession 10 times, according to Opta.
Figal becomes the second Inter Miami player to be named to the MLS Team of the Week on more than one occasion in 2021. In total, the team has had 10 players featured in the Team of the Week so far this season.
Figal and midfielder Federico Higuaín were selected in Week 2 after the team’s 1-2 victory over the Philadelphia Union on April 24. Defender Ryan Shawcross was part of the starting XI for Week 3 after playing a crucial role in securing the team’s first clean sheet of the season in the scoreless draw against Nashville on May 2. Winger Lewis Morgan was named to the bench for Week 4 after netting the equalizing goal against Atlanta United to tie the match 1-1 on May 9. In Week 5 Gonzalo Higuaín was selected to the Team of the Week after scoring a brace in the 3-2 victory over FC Cincinnati on May 16. In Week 17 Gonzalo Higuaín was selected for a second time and was part of the starting lineup after scoring a brace to help the team overcome CF Montréal 2-1 on July 31. Left-back Kieran Gibbs was named as a starter in Week 17 after netting the team’s equalizer in the 1-1 draw on the road against Orlando City SC on Aug. 4. Blaise Matuidi was part of the starting lineup for Week 18 after a stellar performance in which he recorded an assist. Gonzalo HIguaín was then named to the Team of the Week for a third time this season after dishing out two assists in the 3-2 win against Chicago Fire FC on Aug. 18. Leandro González Pirez and Rodolfo Pizarro were named as starters for the Week 21 Team of the Week, with the defender registering two assists and the midfielder scoring two goals. Last week, goalkeeper Nick Marsman was named to the bench of the Team of the Week for Week 22 after denying a penalty and keeping a clean sheet.
