The theatrics leading up to the rivalry game between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls left a lot to be desired on the pitch as the game ended in a 7-0 blowout for NYRB. That result was by far the most lopsided of the week in the MLS so it shouldn’t be a surprise that a pair of Red Bulls players topped this list at their respective positions. Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from this past weekend.
GK: Clint Irwin, Toronto FC
Irwin helped Toronto FC stop the bleeding with a clean sheet versus Columbus to help salvage an important point. Irwin’s clean sheet was the most impressive among those that registered one this week as he stopped all four shots he faced on the road against the Crew. Toronto is now fourth in the Eastern Conference this season. They have been stellar at the defensive end as they’ve allowed just 12 goals so far. That’s the second-best number in the conference as only first-place Philadelphia has allowed fewer goals.
Honorable Mention: Zack MacMath, Colorado; Andre Blake, Philadelphia; Luis Robles, New York Red Bulls
D: Richard Marquez, Philadelphia
Philadelphia and DC United appeared destined for a scoreless draw with time running down late until an unlikely hero stepped up and made the difference in their 1-0. Marquez pushed forward with a beauty goal in the first minute of added time to record just his first point in 10 games this season. The goal was the difference in the 1-0 win and it elevated Marquez to the best MLS fantasy score of the week at his position.
Honorable Mention: Axel Sjoberg, Colorado; Atiba Harris, FC Dallas
M: Dax McCarty, New York Red Bulls
McCarty was an absolute force in the Red Bulls win as he scored two goals including the eventual game-winning tally on two shots in the 7-0 win over rival NYCFC. The two goals were McCarty’s first two points in 12 appearances this season as NYRB made an absolute statement with the lopsided win. The Red Bull have now climbed to third place in the Eastern Conference as they have five wins in and a draw in 13 games this season.
M: Lee Nguyen, New England
Nguyen is the lone player in this column to earn MLS fantasy honors at his position in a losing cause as he certainly wasn’t at fault in a 4-2 loss to FC Dallas. Nguyen assisted on an early goal from Juan Aguedelo and then added a tally of his own on a penalty shot just three minutes later but FC Dallas roared back with three straight goals to hand New England a 4-2 loss on the road. New England is now eighth in the Eastern Conference. Their season hasn’t worked out as planned, for the most part, as they’ve been a terrible defensive team. They’ve allowed 24 goals so far this season, which is tied for the most in the MLS.
Honorable Mention: Diego Valeri, Portland; Pedro Morales, Vancouver; Fatale Alashi, San Jose
F: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
Wright-Phillips was even better than his teammate McCarty in the win over NYCFC over the weekend as he scored two goals and added an assist with a total of four shots in the victory. Wright-Phillips is up to five goals and an assist in 13 games this season as he continues to lead the way for the Red Bulls up front. New York has scored 21 goals in 13 games this season.
F: Cyle Larin, Orlando City SC
Last year’s outstanding rookie Larin made his mark against the Montreal Impact on Saturday with both of their goals in a 2-1 win. Larin was all over the pitch in the victory with two goals on five shots to raise his early totals to six goals and 25 shots through his first 10 appearances this season. He’s been a stud in MLS fantasy. Orlando has now scored 19 goals in 11 games so far this season while giving up 17.
Honorable Mention: Tesho Akindele, FC Dallas; Dairon Asprille, Portland; Arturo Alvarez, Chicago
