DC United took full advantage of a favorable matchup with the Chicago Fire over the weekend, rewarding the MLS fantasy managers that invested in their players with six goals and some of the top fantasy performances of the weekend. Meanwhile, the top shutdown performance came as a surprise with Montreal’s goalkeeper earning top honors at his position after the Impact were reduced to 10 men in a rivalry game with Toronto FC. Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from this past weekend.
GK: Evan Bush, Montreal
Bush made three saves in a 1-0 win over Toronto FC that was enough to earn him the top MLS fantasy honors at his position for the weekend. It was a sloppy game between the two sides but Bush’s performance helped the Impact hold on for the victory despite the fact that they were playing with just 10 men for the majority of the contest.
Honorable Mention: Andre Blake, Philadelphia; Steve Clark, Columbus
D: Fabinho, Philadelphia
Fabinho helped Philadelphia clinch an important 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City with his excellent play at both ends of the pitch. Fabinho was in shutdown mode in his own end for the Union in the clean sheet win while also chipping in on offense with an assist to separate himself as the top MLS fantasy defender in the MLS from this past weekend. Philadelphia has allowed 41 goals in 27 games this season, the third-most in the Eastern Conference.
Honorable Mention: Steve Birnbaum, DC United; Steven Taylor, Portland
M: Luciano Acosta, DC United
It should be no surprise that DC United is represented in this column following their lopsided 6-2 win over the Chicago Fire. Acosta led the way in the midfield with a goal and two assists to set the bar for MLS fantasy midfielders this past weekend. DC United is now sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are five points behind Montreal in fifth place and eight points back of Philadelphia and New York, who have 40 points.
M: Kaka, Orlando City SC
DC United’s Patrick Nyarko seemed like a lock to join his teammate Acosta in this column until Kaka delivered with a pair of goals on four shots in a 2-1 win over New York City FC on Sunday. Kaka continues to be a bright spot for Orlando and his ability to deliver when given the smallest of windows had made him one of the most lethal midfielders in the MLS. Orlando has registered just 31 points in 26 games this season. Their main flaw has been their defense, which has given up 44 goals. That’s the second-most in the Eastern Conference, so most weeks they’re a good team to bet against for MLS fantasy.
Honorable Mention: Patrick Nyarko, DC United; Tranquillo Barnetta, Philadelphia; Ignacio Piatti, Montreal; Diego Valeri, Portland
F: Patrick Mullins, DC United
While Acosta was the hero in the middle for DC United, it was Mullins who led the way up front with the hat trick. Mullins fired seven shots in total and his three goals including the game-winning marker gave him more than enough fantasy points to lead the entire MLS regardless of position this past weekend. DC United has managed to scored just 33 goals in 26 games this season, which is the second-fewest in the Eastern Conference. The good news is that their 33 goals allowed is the second-fewest in the conference as well.
F: Yura Movsisyan, Real Salt Lake
Movsisyan opened the weekend with a monster performance on Friday as he scored two goals and finished with five shots in total in Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids. The game-winning goal and the high shots total was enough to edge out Michael Barrios of FC Dallas for this spot and was the key to Real Salt Lake picking up three points in the table. They are now sitting in second place in the Western Conference in a tie with Colorado. Both teams are five points behind FC Dallas, who paces the west with 48 points.
Honorable Mention: Michael Barrios, FC Dallas; Justin Meram, Columbus; Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
