The MLS playoff race heated up this past weekend with a handful of key matchups that had major postseason implications. DC United and Montreal clinched crucial wins thanks to strong performances by a pair of standout players and it should be no surprise that those teams are represented on this list. Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from this past weekend.
GK: Evan Bush, Montreal
The Impact needed a strong performance from their goalkeeper in a key matchup against Orlando City SC and Bush delivered in a major way with the top MLS fantasy performance of the weekend at this position. Bush turned aside all five shots he faced to clinch the clean sheet victory as Montreal came out on top by a 1-0 score. The Impact moved to five points up on the New England Revolution above the Eastern Conference playoff line with just two games remaining in the regular season. They have been a mixed bag in terms of MLS fantasy as they have scored 47 goals, which is decent, but they’ve also allowed 48 goals, which is in the middle of the pack as well.
Honorable Mention: Tim Howard, Colorado; Steve Clark, Columbus
D: Walker Zimmerman, FC Dallas
FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz only needed to make a single save in order for FC Dallas to clinch an important three points in a 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy. That was in part because Zimmerman held his own in the defensive end in addition to scoring the lone goal in the victory. FC Dallas is now five points clear of the Colorado Rapids for top spot in the Western Conference with just two games remaining on their regular season schedule. Dallas has given up just 39 goals through 32 games this season. While the Colorado Rapids lead the Western Conference in that category (27), only the San Jose Earthquakes have allowed less markers (36).
Honorable Mention: Harrison Afful, Columbus; Justed Glad, Real Salt Lake
M: Lamar Neagle, DC United
DC United continued its charge up the Eastern Conference standings by picking up its third straight win with a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC and Neagle was the key figure in the midfield. Neagle scored both DC United goals and finished with three shots in total. DC United moved four points clear of the Revolution just below the playoff cutoff line in the Eastern Conference and can clinch a playoff spot with a win over New York City FC this week. They are currently in fifth place in the MLS standings with 43 points in 32 games.
M: Dilly Duka, Columbus
Columbus won’t make the playoffs this season but they have won three of their last four overall thanks in part to a strong MLS fantasy performance from Duka this past weekend. Duka scored a goal and added an assist in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Fires as the Crew continued to give their fans reason to cheer down the final stretch.
Honorable Mention: Andrea Pirlo, New York City FC; Fatal Alashe, San Jose
F: David Villa, New York City FC
Villa continued to produce for New York City FC in a 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo, breaking the 20-goal mark with a pair of markers. Villa is now tied with Bradley Wright-Phillips of the New York Red Bulls for the MLS goal scoring lead with 21 goals each with both franchises from New York set to play two more regular season games before the postseason begins.
F: Juan Aguedelo, New England
The Revolution are still alive in the Eastern Conference playoff picture thanks to a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City in which Aguedelo shined up front. Aguedelo had a goal and an assist and finished with three shots on target, narrowly edging out his teammate Kei Kamara for this spot on the list after both players had two points in that win. New England is still three points out of a playoff spot with two games to go but they do have a relatively favorable schedule with games against Chicago and Montreal to close out the regular season.
Honorable Mention: Kei Kamara, New England; Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls; Justin Meram, Columbus
