There was certainly plenty of scoring in the MLS over the weekend with only three clean sheets in a total of seven matches. The top offensive performers weren’t all exactly household names, although a pair of Kamara’s made their mark. Here is a recap of the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from around this past weekend.
GK: Josh Saunders, New York City FC
Saunders delivered the strongest performance of the three goaltenders that registered a clean sheet as he made three saves in a 2-0 win over the rival New York Red Bulls. NYCFC has won three straight following a four-game winless drought and Saunders hasn’t allowed a goal in each of his last two starts. New York City has been an interesting study this season as they are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with 27 points. However, when you take a closer look at the numbers, they actually have a -2 goal differential. While their 29 goal scored are tied for the most in the conference, their 31 goals allowed are the most of any team in the MLS. It’s quite odd to see a team that’s given up more goals than anyone else at the top of the standings but that’s the case here.
Honorable Mention: Sean Johnson, Chicago; Tyler Deric, Houston
D: Hassoun Camara, Montreal
Montreal put on a show with three unanswered goals in a 3-2 win over the Revolution with an assist. The Impact back line struggled early on but held tight once they secured the victory with Camara shining brightest on the back line. Montreal has now scored 27 goals this season which is the third-most in the Eastern Conference. They are currently in third place in the standings.
Honorable Mention: Matt Besler, Sporting Kansas City; Chris Tierney, New England; David Horst, Houston
M: Kei Kamara, New England
The veteran midfielder delivered another outstanding performance with a pair of goals on four shots in a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Impact. While it wasn’t enough to salvage a point for the Revolution, it was enough to earn top MLS fantasy honors at his position. New England has allowed 31 goals on the season, which is tied for the most in the EPL this season. That’s a big reason why they find themselves in eight in the Eastern Conference table.
M: Christian Maidana, Houston
Houston and Philadelphia were tied with time running down in the second half until the fifth minute of injury time when Maldana delivered on a free kick for the game-winning goal. The Dynamo midfielder hammered home a left-footed strike in to the top left corner to absolutely stun the Union as the Dynamo ended a five-game winless drought in an absolute thriller with Maldana earning MLS fantasy recognition for his incredible goal that was the difference. The Dynamo have had a very rough go of things this season as they currently find themselves in dead last in the Western Conference standings with just 17 points. Only two other teams have less points than them this season.
Honorable Mention: Andrea Pirlo, New York City FC; Jordan Morris, Seattle
F: Michael Salazar, Montreal
Kei Kamara’s pair of goals would have been enough for New England to salvage at least a point if it wasn’t for the Impact striker Salazer coming up big in the 2-2 win for Montreal. Salazar scored two goals eight minutes apart to cut the 2-0 deficit to the Revolution and then Ignacio Piatti won it for the Impact on a penalty kick in the 54th minute.
F: Ola Kamara, Columbus
Kei Kamara wasn’t the only one who put on a show as the Columbus striker Ola Kamara got in to the act as well. The 26-year-old striker scored both of the Crew’s goals but like the other Kamara, it wasn’t enough as Columbus fell short 3-2 against Sporting Kansas City. Columbus is currently in second-last place in the Eastern Conference standings as they’ve managed just 16 points in 16 games so far. They haven’t often been on the MLS fantasy radar for the right reasons.
Honorable Mention: Jack Harrison, New York City FC; John Goosens, Chicago; David Villa, New York City FC
