Connor Lade had a rough outing against Orlando in Week 30. How rough? Jesse Marsch felt moved to describe his confidence in the player during the week after the game. One expected Lade would do his damnedest to erase the memory of being repeatedly outwitted and outpaced by Carlos Rivas, but the starting lineup for the October 5 game against Columbus Crew brought fresh concern: left back Kemar Lawrence was absent; Lade, already deputizing for first-choice right back Chris Duvall, would be required to start the game on the left side of the defense.

If there is anything we know about Connor Lade, it is that he is a versatile player - so much so, he's yet to find a position one might confidently describe as his specialty at the pro level. He proved that versatility once again this week, helping RBNY to a vital win over Columbus, most notably with his first assist in MLS since 2012.

For that redemptive performance, Lade has caught the eye of the league's official TotW selectors:

Team of the Week pres. by @EASPORTSFIFA (Wk 31): http://t.co/oJhjfWAB4l pic.twitter.com/4k05u4z0ny

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 5, 2025

Congrats, Connor!

On the bench for the official Week 31 ToTW is Damien Perrinelle: the only regular member of RBNY's back four this season who started and played his usual role against Columbus. He did his best to duck any acclaim: contributing what looked a lot like an own goal, and by matching RBNY's all-time single-season record for yellow cards in league play. But he is also getting recognition for his role as the senior man at on the back line: the player who has helped the club weather frequent absences of its preferred starting defenders by covering for the occasional lapses of his colleagues and holding the line - regardless of its personnel - committed to its tactical plan.

McCarty and Miazga have gotten all the love this year, but Perrinelle's been just as important for RBNY. #NYvCLB

— Matthew Doyle (@MLSAnalyst) October 4, 2025