The LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids set the tone for this weekend from a defensive perspective with a pair of clean sheet wins but there was still plenty of scoring with six games that featured three or more combined goals. We broke down the numbers to track the best individual MLS fantasy performances across the board. Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances from this past weekend.
GK: Brian Rowe, LA Galaxy
The Galaxy extended their undefeated streak to five straight games with their third win in a row and their goalkeeper was a big reason why they were able to earn the maximum three points. Rowe stopped all four shots he faced to edge out Colorado’s Tim Howard for top MLS fantasy honors at his position with New England’s Bobby Shuttleworth and Real Salt Lake’s Nick Rimando the other two MLS goalkeepers that registered clean sheets over the weekend.
The Galaxy are now in third place in the Western Conference mostly on the strength of their strong defense. They have allowed just 18 goals in 19 games this season, which is the second-fewest in the MLS.
Honorable Mention: Tim Howard, Colorado; Bobby Shuttleworth, New England; Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake
D: Axel Sjoberg, Colorado
Sjoberg was one of a handful of defenders that made his mark on the score sheet with an assist. The difference was his strong defensive play, which helped Colorado to register a 1-0 win over Sporting KC. The Rapids haven’t lost a game since a 1-0 loss at Real Salt Lake in April.
We mentioned above that the Galaxy have allowed the second-fewest amount of goals in the league and that’s because they’re behind Colorado. The Rapids have given up just 13 goals in 19 games this season, which is by far the fewest in the MLS.
Honorable Mention: Chad Marshall, Seattle; Justin Morrow, Toronto FC; Luke Boden, Orlando City SC
M: Diego Valeri, Portland
The midfield position produced some considerable fantasy scores this weekend with Valeri posting the best of them in a 3-1 win over the Seattle Sounders. Valeri scored twice for the Timbers in a six-minute span including the game-winning goal and finished with a total of five shots for the top fantasy score among MLS players regardless of position over the weekend. Portland is now sitting in sixth place in the MLS. They have scored 32 goals this season, which is the third-most on the conference, but the issue is goals allowed. Their 31 goals allowed (in 21 games) is the second-most in the West.
M: Sacha Kljestan, New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls settled for a draw after allowing Philadelphia to rally back from two goals down in a 2-2 draw but Kljestan had a considerable impact with a pair of goals to make him one of two players to register a multi-point game over the weekend. Kljestan scored in the 27th and 44th minute to give New York a 2-0 lead and while they failed to hold on for the three points their top midfielder still earned himself a spot on this list. The Red Bulls are now in third place in the Eastern Conference. They have 28 points and are now just five points off their cross-city rivals, New York City, for first place in the conference.
Honorable Mention: Steven Gerrard, LA Galaxy; Mauro Diaz, FC Dallas; Frank Lampard, New York City FC
F: Jack Harrison, New York City FC
Harrison scored the second of New York City FC’s three goals in the second minute of first-half added time. That marker stood as the eventual game-winning goal in a 3-1 win over the Montreal Impact and was enough for him to earn a spot on this list in a relatively quiet week for forwards in terms of MLS fantasy scoring production.
F: Maximiliano Urruti, FC Dallas
Urruti didn’t score the game-winning goal for FC Dallas but he did score and finish with a total of six shots in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire. Urruti has raised his personal totals to five goals and three assists this season and his production this week was enough to earn him a spot on this list.
Honorable Mention: Marlon Hairston, Colorado; Chris Pontius, Philadelphia; Fanendo Adi, Portland
