Yohei Takaoka named to MLS Team of the Matchday for third time this season

Yohei Seattle

Vancouver Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 37.

The Japanese shot-stopper came up huge to help the 'Caps secure a point in a 0-0 road draw against Seattle at Lumen Field. Takaoka made five saves to earn the clean sheet, including a sensational diving stop to deny a Cristian Roldan header in the sixth minute of added time in the second half. 

This marks the third time this season that Takaoka has earned the nod, after selections in Matchday 8 and Matchday 10 in the midst of a club MLS record record shutout streak of 443 minutes.

Nine different 'Caps have been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday this season. Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate Ryan Gauld leads the way with 12 selections (Matchday 11, Matchday 14, Matchday 16, Matchday 21, Matchday 25, Matchday 26, Matchday 28, Matchday 29, Matchday 30, Matchday 32, Matchday 35, Matchday 36). Others include Takaoka (Matchday 8, Matchday 10, Matchday 37), Brian White (Matchday 11, Matchday 16, Matchday 28), Simon Becher (Matchday 5, Matchday 6), Ali Ahmed (Matchday 6), Tristan Blackmon (Matchday 4), Andrés Cubas (Matchday 21), and Ranko Veselinović (Matchday 17), and Richie Laryea (Matchday 36).