Decision Day 2016 certainly lived up to the hype as the final four playoff spots were booked on the final day of the regular season (and MLS fantasy) on Sunday. A 4-1 loss to Vancouver left the defending champion Portland Timbers on the outside looking in while Seattle, Sporting Kansas City and Seattle each booked their spots in the postseason in the Western Conference. Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Union managed to lock up a playoff spot even despite a loss to the New York Red Bulls based on a tiebreaker with the New England Revolution.
Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from this the final weekend of the regular season.
GK: Luis Robles, New York Red Bulls
Robles was excellent in New York’s 2-0 win over a Philadelphia side that actually needed the victory in an attempt to lock up a playoff spot. Robles stood tall in goal and turned away all five shots he faced to preserve the clean sheet victory and give his club some momentum heading in to the postseason while earning top MLS fantasy honors at his position. For MLS fantasy purposes, the Red Bulls finished the regular season giving up 44 goals in 34 games. That was the second-fewest in the Eastern Conference next to D.C. United.
Honorable Mention: Tim Melia, Sporting Kansas City; Cody Cropper, New England
D: Aurelien Collin, New York Red Bulls
It really didn’t matter that the Red Bulls had already clinched a playoff spot as they didn’t bother to slow down in a 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Union. Collin found the score sheet with an assist and also benefited from a bonus for registering the clean sheet in the win. The Red Bulls are now off to the postseason where they will look to challenge for a championship.
Honorable Mention: Justin Morrow, Toronto FC; Rafael Ramos, Orlando City SC
M: Diego Fagundez, New England
New England fell just short of reaching the playoffs based on a tiebreaker but they definitely didn’t go down without a fight as Fagundez led the way to a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Impact on the final day of the regular season. Fagundez registered a goal and an assist with four shots in the 3-0 win. The Revolution might not have made the playoffs this season but there is plenty of reason for optimism moving forward after finishing off the year with five wins over their final seven games. New England ended up in seventh-place in the Eastern Conference, giving up 54 goals in 34 games. Their biggest issue in terms of MLS fantasy was their offense as their 44 goals scored was the second-fewest in the MLS.
M: Benny Feilhaber, Sporting Kansas City
Feilhaber led the way for Sporting Kansas City in a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on the same day that his club clinched a playoff spot. Feilhaber was in on both Sporting Kansas City goals as he registered a goal and an assist in the victory. Sporting Kansas City was regularly a quality option in terms of MLS fantasy for defense. They allowed just 41 goals in 34 games last season.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Molino, Orlando City SC; Cristian Higuita, Orlando City SC
F: David Villa, New York City FC
Villa made a final push for the MLS goal scoring title with his 23rd of the season but ultimately finished one back of New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips after the latter scored his 24th of the season. Villa still earned top MLS fantasy honors at his position with a goal, an assist and six shots in total in NYCFC’s 4-1 win over the Columbus Crew.
F: Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
Giovinco finished the regular season with a flurry as he scored a goal and added an assist in Toronto FC’s 3-2 win over Chicago. Arguably the most talented player in the entire league, Giovinco finishes the regular season with a ridiculous 17 goals and 15 assists for a total of 32 points. Now comes his toughest test yet as he looks to lead TFC to an MLS championship in a loaded Eastern Conference.
Honorable Mention: Giles Barnes, Vancouver; Jack Harrison, New York City FC; Kaka, Orlando City SC
