Still time for one more accolade for Aaron Long’s excellent 2018. The reigning MLS Defender of the Year is the only New York Red Bulls player to make the Audi Player Index Team of the Playoffs:
Can’t really fault the fact the selection is mostly Atlanta United and Portland Timbers players: those teams played and won the most games in the playoffs, so it makes sense they are contributing the majority of players to a post-season Best XI.
As such, congratulations to Aaron Long for making the cut. He has won many more impressive awards and trophies in 2018 - the Supporters’ Shield; MLS Defender of the Year; first US Men’s National Team caps; MLS All Star; MLS Best XI; RBNY Defender of the Year - but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve a little more praise.