The United States national team goalkeeper put on an absolute show for his club team Colorado this past weekend and his performance had major implications in the MLS. A Rapids’ win over FC Dallas allowed both Colorado and the LA Galaxy to close in on top spot in the Western Conference standings and that should create some added intrigue heading in to the final stretch of the MLS season. Meanwhile, there was absolutely no doubt about where Howard’s performance ranked from an MLS fantasy perspective. Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from this past weekend.
GK: Tim Howard, Colorado
Howard stole the show among MLS goalkeepers this past weekend when he stopped all seven shots he faced in a lean sheet win over FC Dallas. The Rapids leaned heavily on their netminder against the top club in the MLS and Howard delivered in a major way to help them earn an important three points and close the gap to four in their pursuit of FC Dallas at the top of the Western Conference standings.
Honorable Mention: Jake Gleeson, Portland; Alex Bono, Toronto FC
D: Justin Morrow, Toronto FC
Morrow was a big reason why Toronto FC was able to earn its seventh win in nine games with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Morrow was solid defensively once again and he flashed his offensive upside with an assist to capture top MLS fantasy honors at his position.
Honorable Mention: Steve Birnbaum; DC United; Raul Rodriguez, Houston; Jelle van Damme, LA Galaxy
M: Giovani Dos Santos, LA Galaxy
The Galaxy celebrated Robbie Keane’s return in style with a 4-2 win over Orlando City SC and they got some help from the Rapids to close to within four points of FC Dallas for top spot in the Western Conference standings. No player was more impressive for LA than Dos Santos, who scored twice including the game-winning goal and added an assist to cap off the most impressive fantasy performance of the weekend regardless of position.
M: Diego Fagundez, New England
The Revolution earned an important three points in the standings to climb to within one spot of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference thanks in big part to the job that Fagundez did in the midfield. Fagundez registered a goal and an assist with five shots in total in a 3-1 win over New York City FC to solidify his position as one of the top MLS fantasy midfielders in the MLS this past weekend.
Honorable Mention: Roger Espinoza, Sporting KC; Dom Dwyer, Sporting KC; Nicolas Lodeiro, Seattle
F: Juan Aguedelo, New England
Aguedelo was an absolute force up front for the Revolution, working in tandem with Fagundez to help New England clinch an impressive victory. Aguedelo had a goal and an assist in the victory and finished with a total of six shots, three of which made it on goal. Aguedelo is up to five goals and three assists on the season and his timing for a multi-point performance couldn’t have been better with the Revolution in a tough spot trying to keep their playoff hopes alive this past weekend. In terms of MLS fantasy, New England has been a good team to start offensive weapons against. They have allowed 48 goals so far, which is the third-most in the conference.
F: Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC
Sebastian Giovinco’s absence wasn’t nearly as negative of a factor for TFC thanks in large part to Altidore’s performance up front as he delivered with a goal and an assist as the club’s top striker by default. Altidore was certainly playing with a sense of urgency firing three shots towards the goal and his two points helped him edge out some strong competition to make this list. Toronto FC is now in first place in the Eastern Conference with 46 points in 28 games. Defense has been their calling card as they’ve allowed just 29 goals so far, which is the fewest in the MLS. No other team has allowed less than 30.
Honorable Mention: Fanendo Adi, Portland; Robbie Kean, LA Galaxy; Erik Hurtado, Vancouver; Chris Wondolowski, San Jose
