Jack Elliott only scores against New England... right?
Wrong.
The big center back fought his way deep into the Houston Dynamo box, kept his cool, and scored the winning goal as the Union defeated the visitors 2-1 Sunday night.
For that, and for his defensive efforts -- including a stunning goalline clearance -- Elliott was named to the MLS Team of the Week today.
Elliott used to be known as a passer with enough defensive skills to get by. But over his time in Philly, he has become rock solid and has added a level of consistency that has seen him leap to the top of the depth chart at center back. In the modern game, being able to start attacks is nearly as important as holding down the fort defensively, and the big Englishman has grown on both sides of the ball.
Teams like to test Elliott for speed, but he gets his angles right. They test him for strength, but his body control helps him win big battles. They test him with movement, and his intelligence shines through.
Jack Elliott is one of many players that has taken big strides forward and helped the Union become one of the best teams in MLS in 2019. He's a deserving Team of the Week recipient, and it won't be the last time his name is called for an award.