The Independence Day weekend began with a disappointing loss for DC United but that was nothing compared to the letdowns that the New England Revolution and Toronto FC suffered at the hands of FC Dallas and the LA Galaxy respectively. It should be no surprise that fantasy GM’s that loaded up on players from FC Dallas and LA Galaxy did so well in their DraftKings Daily Fantasy Leagues and it certainly won’t be a surprise that this list is stocked with players from those two teams. Here is a look at the top MLS fantasy performers from this past weekend.
GK: Dan Kennedy, FC Dallas
FC Dallas absolutely dominated the New England Revolution in a 3-0 win but of all the goalkeepers that earned a clean sheet win this past weekend, it was Kennedy that was forced to make the most saves with two. Kennedy has made a combined five saves in consecutive clean sheet wins for FC Dallas and while he didn’t have to do much in this game, he still showed up when he was needed. He slightly edged out Seattle’s Stefan Frei and Portland’s Adam Kwarasey as the top fantasy performer of the week. Honorable Mention: Stefan Frei, Seattle; Adam Kwarasey, Portland
D: Tyrone Mears, Seattle
Mears was an absolute monster once again in the Sounders own end of the pitch but it was his goal in the 86th minute that wound up being the difference in a 1-0 win over DC United. Mears has been a stud all year on the back end for Seattle and it’s his ability to push forward and join the attack is what has consistently separated him among the best fantasy defenders in the MLS.
D: Tony Beltran, Real Salt Lake
Beltran gets a nod here as another defender that did a solid job at the back end for Real Salt Lake and also contributed a little offense as he had an assist on the team’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw with Orlando City SC. Portland’s Alvas Powell and the LA Galaxy’s Robbie Rogers were both solid in clean sheet wins but neither player was able to provide the offense to get a nod ahead of Beltran on this list. Honorable Mention: Alvas Powell, Portland; Robbie Rogers, LA Galaxy
M: Ethan Finlay, Columbus
Finlay has had some excellent performances already this season and he stepped up again in a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls, scoring both goals for Columbus. Finlay’s ability as both a playmaker and a finisher has been a major asset in the middle of the park for the Crew and he came up big with a multi-goal performance in their win over the weekend.
M: Mauro Diaz, FC Dallas
Diaz was the only other MLS midfielder with a multi-point game over the weekend as he registered a goal and an assist in FC Dallas’ 3-0 win over the New England Revolution. Ignacio Piatti and Kaka both registered a point in their respective games but it was Finlay and Diaz that recorded multi-point performances at the midfield position this past weekend. Honorable Mention: Ignacio Piatti, Montreal; Kaka, Orlando City SC
F: Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
It was a coming out party for the Galaxy as they registered a dominant 4-0 win over a TFC team they have dominated for years now. Keane was right in the middle of it with a hat trick that easily marked the most outstanding fantasy performance of the MLS weekend. Inconsistency has been an issue for the Galaxy but if Keane can continue to register monster performances like this one then LA will have no problem making up ground in the Western Conference the rest of the way.
F: David Villa, New York City FC
Villa has lived up to every expectation for NYCFC and he struck again over the weekend with a pair of goals in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Impact. NYCFC would be absolutely lost if it wasn’t for Villa and fantasy GM’s will continue to go back to the well for as long as he continues to produce as one of the best and most consistent MLS strikers. Honorable Mention: Kei Kamara, Columbus; Kekuta Manneh, Vancouver
