After being named the Man of the Match for Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution, keeper Tyler Miller earned a spot on the MLS Team of the Week. The honor came after Miller made seven saves in the match as part of a furious goal-line stand to protect LAFC from falling at home.
Miller shined with several point-blank saves, at one point dropping and swinging his legs to swipe away a shot taken with only a handful of feet of separation on a breakaway. New England’s tactic of pressing high left Miller on the back end of several breakaways, but he excelled in one-on-one situations each time.
“A save like that lifts everybody, especially the backline,” defender Jordan Harvey said.
The @SanManuelCasino Thrill of the Match: @Tymiller01's clutch kick save! pic.twitter.com/gKDnbEGlfQ
— LAFC (@LAFC) September 16, 2018
The Revs’ lone goal came off a mismatch on a corner kick, and the ball was placed inhumanly far for Miller to save. But in a game when New England took 20 shots — eight of which were on frame — his presence in the goal made the difference between a disappointing draw and a devastating loss.
“That’s why goalkeepers are special,” defender Walker Zimmerman said. “When the game is on the line they have to come through with big saves.”
This is Miller’s sixth time being honored on the weekly team, and his third in the past five weeks.