The LA Galaxy’s 1-0 win over Houston wasn’t nearly as surprising as the fact that the Montreal Impact secured a 2-1 win over FC Dallas to make it consecutive victories. That’s quite surprising for a team that looked absolutely lost earlier in the season. Meanwhile, one player managed to post the best fantasy point total for his position this week despite not registering a single point for FC Dallas while another player has created a developing controversy at his position with Toronto FC. Here is a quick recap of the best fantasy performances of the week in the MLS.
GK: Chris Konopka, Toronto
There is a growing controversy in Toronto where Konopka has suddenly burst on to the scene as a potential star. He got an opportunity thanks to the injury of Joe Bendik and now the situation has clouded the team’s future in goal. Konopka was among the top goalkeepers in the MLS a week ago and he is right back in this spot after stopping all five shots he faced in a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers. TFC has two potential All-Star keepers right now and when Bendik is back at full strength, it will make for an interesting debate about who deserves to be the starter. Any fantasy GM that plugged Konopka in as their GK at a discount price in daily fantasy leagues has to be happy. It will only be a matter of time before his price skyrockets in what has quickly become a breakthrough season.
Honorable Mention: Clint Irwin, Colorado; E Bush, Montreal; Jaime Penedo, LA Galaxy
D: Fabinho, Philadelphia
Fabinho was an absolute stud for the Philadelphia Union as he finished the game with six passes intercepted and a couple of winning tackles. The clean sheet bonus he registered also helped as the Union registered a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls to help push Fabinho over the top as the No. 1 fantasy defender of the week.
D: Dan Gargan, LA Galaxy
Gargan also helped his team register a clean sheet as the Galaxy held off Houston for the 1-0 win. He finished with three successful crosses, two winning fouls and a blocked shot with the shutout bonus, which put him ahead of the players that receive honorable mention. Gargan posting the second-best fantasy points total of the week among defenders.
Honorable Mention: Jamison Olave, Real Salt Lake; Elias Vasquez, Real Salt Lake; Matt Hedges, Dallas
M: Mauro Diaz, Dallas
Dallas actually lost 2-1 to the Montreal Impact, yet somehow Diaz posted the highest fantasy point total of the week among MLS midfielders. He did so despite not having a single goal or assist. Diaz had eight winning fouls, four successful tackles, three winning tackles and two corners won as he absolutely stuffed his stat sheet in other important areas. It’s rare that a player ends up among the best at his position without at least an assist but Diaz got the job done this week with the highest fantasy point total of all midfielders.
M: Ignacio Piatti, Montreal
Piatti’s penalty kick goal was only his second tally of the season and he had only one shot on target, but he filled the stat sheet in other areas. That includes an assist on Montreal’s other goal in order to finish with the second-highest fantasy point total of the week among midfielders. Piatti can’t be relied on to consistently rank among the top fantasy midfielders but his effort this past week makes him deserving of being listed in this spot.
Honorable Mention: Lucas Pittinari, Colorado; Vincent Nogueira, Philadelphia; Michael Bradley, Toronto
F: Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto
Giovinco’s goal in the fifth minute of their game against the Timbers stood as the difference in Toronto’s 1-0 win. He added two more shots on target to his match-winning goal to separate himself from the rest of the pack as the top fantasy forward on the board for this past week. Giovinco is up to five goals on the season and he should only continue to get more dangerous as he becomes more comfortable with his new surroundings and develops the chemistry with his teammates.
F: David Accam, Chicago
Accam was robbed on his best chance of the first half but he got the Fire on the board in the 58th minute. Jason Johnson scored in added time to help Chicago salvage a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew. Accam is still one goal shy of Jeff Larentowicz for the team lead but he had several chances against Columbus and his numbers were good enough to give him the second-best fantasy total of the week among forwards.
Honorable Mention: Kei Kamara, Columbus; Fabian Castillo, Dallas; Alvaro Saborio, Real Salt Lake
