With just two games left on each team’s schedule, week 33 of the MLS regular season was loaded with key matchups that had substantial implications for the playoff picture with 10 games on the schedule for Sunday. There were plenty of strong performances across the board but perhaps the biggest surprise was the upset wins that very few saw coming with non-playoff teams taking down teams that were battling for position in the Eastern Conference standings. Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from this past weekend.
GK: Joe Bendik, Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC will not have a shot at the MLS playoffs in the Eastern Conference but Bendik certainly relished the upset role as he helped his team stun the Philadelphia Union in a 2-0 win. Bendik turned aside all five shots he faced to preserve the clean sheet win and prevent the Union from clinching their playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. There were several strong goaltending performances over the weekend but Bendik’s was by far the best overall at his position.
Honorable Mention: Jake Gleeson, Portland; Brian Rowe, LA Galaxy
D: Bobby Boswell, DC United
DC United clinched a playoff spot thanks in large part to the performance of their defenders as Boswell and Jonathan Campbell each scored goals in their 3-1 win New York City FC. Boswell had the slight edge in fantasy score based on his defensive work and a couple of fouls drawn but at the end of the day, DC had to be thrilled with the performances they received on their back end in a big win.
Honorable Mention: Jonathan Campbell, Chicago; Brandon Vincent, Chicago; Rob Vincent, DC United
M: Lloyd Sam, DC United
It wasn’t just the defense that stepped up for DC United in their big win as Sam stepped up with a pair of assists in the 3-1 victory. DC will need a complete team effort to have any shot at making a run once the playoffs get underway so they have to be happy with Sam’s strong performance with the regular season winding down in week 33.
M: David Accam, Chicago
Chicago is another team that relished the underdog role over the weekend with a surprising 2-1 win over New England to keep the Revolution from moving in to a tie for sixth position in the Eastern Conference. Accam fired seven shots in total and one of them found the back of the net for the game-winning goal in the 80th minute of action to put him in position to earn a spot on this list.
Honorable Mention: Fanendo Adi, Portland; Alan Gordon, LA Galaxy; Maximiliano Urruti, FC Dallas
F: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls moved three points clear of rivals New York City FC at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a 3-2 win over Columbus thanks in big part to another memorable performance from Wright-Phillips. New York’s star striker put them ahead with his first goal in the 58th minute and then added an insurance marker in the 70th minute that ended up standing as the game-winning goal in the 3-2 victory. Wright-Phillips leads the MLS with 23 goals this season, which is one more than NYCFC’s David Villa. The Red Bulls now sit at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with 54 points. Only two other teams are in the 50’s as New York City FC has 51 points while Toronto FC has 50 points.
F: Ignacio Piatti, Montreal
Montreal was forced to settle for a draw with Toronto FC but they wouldn’t have been in position to earn a point if it wasn’t for Piatti delivering a solid MLS fantasy performance. Piatti scored both goals for the Impact and finished with seven shots in total for the second-best MLS fantasy score at the forward position for the penultimate week of the MLS regular season. Montreal hasn’t always been a strong option for MLS fantasy as they have just 49 goals in 33 games this season
Honorable Mention: Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC; Patrick Mullins, DC United; David Villa, New York City FC
