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MLS Fantasy: Week 8 Recap

There was plenty of scoring in this past weekend’s MLS competitions with only two goalkeepers managing to secure clean sheet victories. The fact that only one of the 10 games on the board ended with a victory by more than a single goal meant plenty of excitement with a handful of players standing above the rest from a fantasy perspective. Here is a look at the top individual MLS fantasy performances by position from this past weekend.

GK: Stefan Frei, Seattle

Frei and New York Red Bulls’ goalkeeper Luis Robles each made four saves in clean sheet victories but the Sounders’ goalkeeper had the more difficult assignment as it would have cost his team two points if he had conceded a single goal. Frei turned away all four shots he faced to preserve a 1-0 victory as the Sounders earned at least a point for the fourth time in five games following an 0-3 start to the campaign. Unfortunately, though, they’ve dug themselves quite a hole. When you take a look at the standings, they are still in ninth place in the Western Conference (out of 10 teams), so they have a long way to go. They’re seven points back of first-place Colorado, although they do have a game in hand on them.

Honorable Mention: Luis Robles, New York Red Bulls

D: Sal Zizzo, New York Red Bulls

Zizzo was one of a handful of defenders that stepped up with at least a point on the score sheet this past weekend but he was the lone player at his position to secure a point while also helping his club preserve a clean sheet win. Montreal’s Maxim Tissot, Chicago’s Jonathan Campbell and Colorado’s Bobby Burling all earned honorable mention but it was Zizzo who registered the best fantasy score at his position this past weekend. The Red Bulls are now in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with just nine points. However, they’re only five points back of first-place Montreal at the current moment.

Honorable Mention: Maxim Tissot, Montreal; Jonathan Campbell, Chicago; Bobby Burling, Colorado

M: Diego Valeri, Portland

The Timbers earned an important three points and extended their undefeated streak to three with a 2-1 win over Toronto FC thanks in big part to the performance of their star midfielder. Valeri assisted on Fanendo Adi’s opening goal and then delivered the eventual game-winning goal in the 74th minute to help Portland pick up three points and climb to seventh in the Western Conference standings.

M: Felipe Martins, New York Red Bulls

Robles and Zizzo both received recognition for their performances over the weekend but no one player was better for the Red Bulls in their 4-0 win than Martins. The 25-year-old midfielder finished with a goal, an assist and three shots while also picking up a clean sheet bonus by helping to keep the FC Dallas attack off the scoreboard in the most lopsided win of the weekend.

Honorable Mention: Andrea Pirlo, New York City FC; Patrick Nyarko, DC United; Kelyn Rowe, New England

F: David Villa, New York City FC

The Red Bulls weren’t the only New York-based team to produce a big win over the weekend as New York City FC ended a seven-game winless drought with its first victory since its season opener. Villa was once again the star up front for NYCFC as he scored twice and finished with four shots to raise his season totals to six goals and 54 shots through nine games.

F: Yura Movsisyan, Real Salt Lake

A number of forwards found their way on to the score sheet in the MLS this past weekend but timing was the difference with Movsisyan making delivering one of the top fantasy scores at his position for the first time this season. Movsisyan’s goal in the 70th minute held as the eventual game winner in a 2-1 victory over Houston as RSL continued its impressive start to the year with its fifth win in eight games.

Honorable Mention: Didier Drogba, Montreal; Jordan Morris, Seattle; Leonel Miranda, Houston

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Written by Geoff Harvey

Geoff Harvey has been creating odds and betting models since his days in the womb, just don't ask him how he used to get his injury reports back then. Harvey contributes a wealth of quality and informational content that is a valuable resource for any handicapper.

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