VANCOUVER, BC – Major League Soccer announced on Monday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC left back Mihail Gherasimencov and winger Cheikh Sabaly have been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 35, following their performances in the club’s 2-0 Decision Day victory at Canadian rivals CF Montréal.
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After already securing first place and home field advantage in the Western Conference, Whitecaps FC (19W-8L-7D, 64 points) clinched second place in the MLS Supporters' Shield standings, and second overall hosting priority behind only Nashville SC from the Eastern Conference. The 'Caps also set club records for points in an MLS regular season, most goals scored (74), fewest goals conceded (34), and goal difference (+40).
Gherasimencov, 21, earns his first career MLS Team of the Matchday selection after scoring his first career MLS goal, second of the season across all competitions, and third overall goal contribution. Making his fourth MLS start of the season, and 11th appearance, Gherasimencov completed 51 of 54 passes and recorded five defensive contributions.
Sabaly earns his first MLS Team of the Matchday selection after scoring the decisive goal to catapult the 'Caps to victory. The Senegalese international attacker led the 'Caps with four chances created and was a constant threat down the right wing. At the other end, Sabaly recorded four defensive contributions to help the 'Caps keep a clean sheet.Â
Whitecaps FC have had a continuous presence for on the MLS Team of the Matchday this season. In addition to Sabaly and Gherasimencov, goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (Matchday 25), defenders Tristan Blackmon (Matchday 3), MathÃas Laborda (Matchday 4, Matchday 11, Matchday 33, Matchday 34), and Édier Ocampo (Matchday 22), midfielder Oliver Larraz (Matchday 29), attacking midfielders Ryan Gauld (Matchday 25, Matchday 33, Matchday 34) and Thomas Müller (Matchday 2, Matchday 15, Matchday 19, Matchday 20, Matchday 23, Matchday 28), forwards Yadaly Diaby (Matchday 27, Matchday 31), Emmanuel Sabbi (Matchday 8), and Brian White (Matchday 3, Matchday 4, Matchday 7, Matchday 10, Matchday 15, Matchday 22, Matchday 34).  head coach Jesper Sørensen (Matchday 3, Matchday 15), as well as former midfielder Sebastian Berhalter (Matchday 1, Matchday 3, Matchday 4, Matchday 6, Matchday 12, Matchday 13) have all earned selections this year.
MLS Team of the Matchday 35
F: Sam Surridge (NSH), Gonzalo Tapia (CLB), Liel Abada (CLT)
M: Albert Rusnák (SEA), Kaick (DAL), Braian Ojeda (ORL), Cavan Sullivan (PHI)
D: Mihail Gherasimencov (VAN), Lukas MacNaughton (STL), Zach Booth (RSL)
GK: Andrew Thomas (SEA)
Coach: Pablo Mastroeni (RSL)
Bench: Brian Schwake (NSH), Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (RBNY), Patrick Yazbek (NSH), Adri Mehmeti (RBNY), Nectarios Triantis (MIN), Kristoffer Velde (POR), Cheikh Sabaly (VAN), Quinn Sullivan (PHI), Robert Lewandowski (CHI)