There were only five games on the MLS schedule this past Saturday. That meant fewer options to choose from when it came to building a winning MLS fantasy lineup and an even more narrow focus when it came to hitting with the top impact performers at each position. Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from this past weekend.
GK: Sean Johnson, Chicago
Johnson was the best of three goalkeepers to record a clean sheet victory on Saturday as he made five saves to close the door on the Philadelphia Union in a 3-0 win. Johnson was the star for the Fire in just their second win since mid-July and the biggest factor in Chicago spoiling an excellent opportunity for Philadelphia to earn an important three points in the Eastern Conference standings. Even with the three points, Chicago is still tied for the last place in the East with the fewest points in the conference. They have just 26 so far, which ties them with the Columbus Crew for last place.
Honorable Mention: Walker Zimmerman, FC Dallas; Luis Robles, New York Red Bulls
D: Chris Tierney, New England
Tierney made his mark at both ends of the pitch in New England’s 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids, holding his own in the defensive end and then adding an insurance marker with the Revolution’s second goal in the 49th minute. Tierney has shown flashes of his potential to contribute at the offensive end of the pitch throughout this season and he did it again on Saturday to earn top MLS fantasy honors at his position.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Vincent, Chicago; Ronald Zubar, New York Red Bulls
M: Michael de Leeuw, Chicago
Johnson who shut the door on the Philadelphia attack, but it was the veteran midfielder de Leeuw that made the biggest difference in the midfield with a goal and an assist. De Leeuw scored his goal in the 71st minute to make it 2-0 for the Fire and then added an assist on Arturo Alvarez’s goal in the 90th minute to seal an impressive victory for Chicago.
M: Mauro Diaz, FC Dallas
FC Dallas had its way with the Portland Timbers in a 3-1 win and Diaz was their best player in the midfield. Diaz opened the scoring with a penalty kick goal in the 14th minute and then added an assist to become the second of two MLS midfielders to register multiple points over the weekend. Diaz continues to thrive as one of the best midfielders in the MLS and he was a major difference maker in MLS fantasy again for FC Dallas in their lastest win. Dallas now sits comfortably in first place in the Western Conference as they have reached 51 points in 28 games. They are in very good shape to finish the season with this positioning as they have an eight-point lead on second place in the West.
Honorable Mention: Victor Ulloa, FC Dallas; Diego Valeri, Portland
F: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
Wright-Phillips moved in to a tie with New York City FC striker David Villa for the MLS goal scoring lead with his 17th of the season in a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Wright-Phillips scored the deciding goal in the 50th minute and finished with four shots in the close win. New York City FC is now in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with 44 points in 28 games so far. They have a slim one point lead on second place.
F: Giovani Dos Santos, LA Galaxy
A relatively quiet Saturday for MLS forwards meant a late marker from Dos Santos was enough for him to earn a spot on this list. The Galaxy were leading 1-0 when Dos Santos provided an insurance marker in the 82nd minute and he finished with a goal and two shots to earn his place on this list. The Galaxy are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference standings with 43 points. They have been stellar at the defense end as the 27 goals that they’ve allowed are the second-fewest in the conference.
Honorable Mention: Juan Aguedelo, New England; Arturo Alvarez, Chicago
