The best of the best separated themselves from the rest in a busy weekend around the MLS. The LA Galaxy was one of several teams to record a clean sheet victory but even with the strong defensive play there were a handful of players that were very effective in an attacking role. Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from this past weekend.
GK: Brian Rowe, LA Galaxy
Rowe was the best of a handful of goalkeepers that registered clean sheets over the weekend as he stopped all four shots that he faced to help preserve the 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders. The victory was the Galaxy’s second in a row following a streak of seven straight without a win and suddenly they are right back up to a tie for third place in the Western Conference standings. They have been a solid team in terms of MLS fantasy from a defensive perspective. They have allowed just 18 goals in 18 games thsi season, which is the second-most in the Western Conference this season. Only Colorado has allowed fewer goals (13).
Honorable Mention: Chris Seitz, FC Dallas; Andre Blake, Philadelphia; Alex Bono, Toronto FC
D: Justin Morrow, Toronto FC
Toronto FC climbed back in to a playoff position thanks in big part to their terrific play in their own end as they shut the door on Chicago in a 1-0 win. Morrow was instrumental in TFC’s excellent defensive play and he added to his fantasy score at the offensive end with the lone goal in the game. In terms of MLS fantasy, Toronto has been excellent from a defensive perspective. They have given up just 19 goals in 17 games, which is the fewest in the Eastern Conference. They’re the only team in the East that has allowed less than 20.
Honorable Mention: Ike Opara, Sporting KC; Jimmy Medranda, Sporting KC; Axel Sjoberg, Colorado
M: Kei Kamara, New England
Kamara helped New England stick it to Columbus in a 3-1 win with a goal in the 71st minute and a total of five shots. Lee Nguyen also got in to the mix for the Revolution with a goal while an own-goal by Wil Trapp helped New England seal the win. It’s worth noting that New England hasn’t been a very good team in terms of defense. They have allowed 33 goals so far (in 19 games), which is the second-most in the Eastern Conference. Only New York City has allowed more (34).
M: Frank Lampard, New York City FC
Lampard was the lone bright spot in a 3-1 loss for New York City FC over the weekend as he rewarded his fantasy owners with a goal. The former Chelsea man is up to four goals in eight games this season and he continues to be a strong MLS fantasy pick in the midfield when starting for NYCFC. They’re still in first place after 20 games this season as they have 30 points in 20 games. Philadelphia is one point behind but has a game in hand.
Honorable Mention: Roland Alberg, Philadelphia; Yura Movsisyan, Real Salt Lake; Harrison Shipp, Montreal
F: Kevin Doyle, Colorado
Doyle was instrumental in helping Colorado salvage a point against Vancouver as he scored a goal and added an assist in their 2-2 draw with the Whitecaps. Doyle finished the game with four shots in total and raised his point total to six in 14 games with the best fantasy performance among MLS forwards from this past weekend. Colorado is now in second place in the Western Conference standings with 34 points. However, they have two games in hand over FC Dallas, who is three points ahead.
F: Ilsinho, Philadelphia
Two of Philadelphia’s goals came on penalty kicks in their 3-0 win over DC United with Ilsinho scoring two of them and finishing with three shots in the lopsided victory. The Brazilian forward tripled his points total for the season with his first two goals of the campaign and that should translate to more opportunities to produce moving forward.
Honorable Mention: Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy; Maximiliano Urruti, FC Dallas
