With only five games on the slate in the MLS this past weekend, there were much fewer options to choose from in fantasy leagues. However, some strong performers emerged including at the forward and defender positions in particular. Here is a look at the top individual fantasy performances from this past weekend in the MLS.
GK: Bobby Shuttleworth, New England
Only two goalkeepers managed to record clean sheet wins this past weekend in the MLS and Shuttleworth was the best of them as he made four saves in a 3-0 win over Orlando City SC. New England has won four straight without conceding a single goal over the course of its last three victories and Shuttleworth continues to be one of the biggest reasons for their climb up the Eastern Conference standings. FC Dallas’ Jesse Gonzalez had the other clean sheet win with three saves in a 3-0 win over Columbus but was also given a yellow card. Meanwhile, Seattle’s Stefan Frei made three saves in an impressive 2-1 win over Toronto FC. Honorable Mention: Jesse Gonzalez, FC Dallas; Stefan Frei, Seattle
D: Atiba Harris, FC Dallas
FC Dallas scored three goals in its win over Columbus but none was bigger than Harris’ opening marker in the 27th minute. That would go on to stand as the game winner. Harris had only one point on the season entering that game but he recorded a goal and an assist to help Dallas pull out the victory. His fantasy stat line was the best in the MLS among all defenders over the weekend.
D: Chris Tierney, New England
Tierney played an integral role in New England’s win at both sides of the pitch this past weekend with a goal on three shots in addition to his strong defensive play. Tierney’s marker wasn’t the game winner but he provided another complete performance that helped the Revolution lock down their third straight clean sheet victory and fourth straight win overall. Honorable Mention: Wandrille Lefevre, Montreal; Eric Zavaleta, Toronto FC; Jeff Larentowicz, Chicago
M: Lee Nguyen, New England
It was a relatively quiet weekend for the MLS midfielders but Nguyen came through as the only player at his position to record multiple points. He had two assists in the Revolution win. It was a nice bounce back effort after he had his point streak ended at five in New England’s previous game against Philadelphia and Nguyen now has five goals and seven assists this season.
M: Ignacio Piatti, Montreal
Piatti didn’t exactly dominate in Montreal’s 4-3 win over the Fire but he did record an assist and finished the game with three shots on target. That was enough to make him the second best fantasy midfielder from the MLS this past weekend. Piatti has scored eight goals with five assists this year and the Impact are that much better when he is playing at a high level in their midfield. Chicago’s Harrison Shipp and Philadelphia’s Tranquillo Barnetta earned honorable mentions with one point each. Honorable Mention: Harrison Shipp, Chicago; Tranquillo Barnetta, Philadelphia
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F: Didier Drogba, Montreal
PIatti was excellent for Montreal but it was Drogba that emerged as the star with a hat trick in his first MLS start. There was so much hype when it was first announced that he would play for the Impact that it seemed as though he was set up for failure but he quickly proved his detractors wrong in his first start. The 37-year-old scored all three of the Impact’s goals and finished the game with seven shots including four on target in an impressive Montreal win.
F: Connor Casey, Philadelphia
A player with Drogba’s ability is expected to produce at such a high level in the MLS but few would have expected Casey to deliver a similar performance as a substitute for Philadelphia this past weekend. Casey came on as a sub and quickly delivered a pair of goals to help the Union complete the comeback in a surprising 2-1 win over San Jose. Casey had been held to just one goal all season but he delivered in a major way with two markers against the Earthquakes in Philadelphia’s second win in three games. Honorable Mention: Clint Dempsey, Seattle; Kennedy Igboananike, Chicago; David Teixeira, FC Dallas
