This is version 5 of this column and Gaga Slonina has been atop of the list on every one, though these last two matches were his most difficult thus far this season. The last couple weeks saw a couple of new players emerge with their first ever MLS goals: Bryce Duke (Inter Miami) and Damian Rivera (New England Revs). Both have jumped up the rankings because of their efforts. Some other trends from the last set of matches: Ben Bender and Cade Cowell’s roles have reduced, Caleb Wiley and George Campbell picked up some injuries and a lot of the consistent starters continue rolling on really good teams (John Tolkin, Nathan Harriel and Leon Flach).
#1 | GK, Gaga Slonina, Chicago Fire (2004)
Previous Ranking: 1
810 minutes
GA/90: 0.56
PSxG +/-: +1.0
FotMob Rating: 6.56
Gaga faced the most danger he has faced all season in the last two matches. While he has given up some goals, none have been poor concessions and he has made some nice saves, though he did get made to look silly on a penalty kick vs NYRB. As we’ve started to see Chicago’s defense become more vulnerable, some of Gaga’s underlying numbers are dropping. This is a trend worth keeping an eye on. In other news, it’s being reported that Gaga will be leaving Chicago this summer for the Premier League. If that happens, the #1 spot on this list will be up for grabs and you might see another talented 2004 keeper take over for Gaga. His name is Chris Brady.
#2 | CM, Ben Bender, Charlotte FC (2001)
Previous Ranking: 2
589 Minutes
1 Goal
3 Assists
Shot Creating Actions: 21
Goal Creating Actions: 3
FotMob Rating: 7.02
After a hot start, Ben’s cooled off a bit. He’s come off the bench in the last two matches and has not been as involved as he was earlier in the year.
#3 | WING, Cade Cowell, San Jose Earthquakes (2003)
Previous Ranking: 3
408 minutes
1 Goal
1 Assist
Shot Creating Actions: 13
Goal Creating Actions: 2
FotMob Rating: 6.6
Cade subbed in fairly late in the last two matches. I really struggle to understand why he doesn’t play more for a pretty dismal San Jose side.
#4 | LB, John Tolkin, New York Red Bulls (2002)
Previous Ranking: 4
810 minutes
xGoals: 0.6
xAssists: 0.5
Shot Creating Actions: 16
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 7.33
I sound like a broken record but John again went 90, twice, in the last two matches and he has been very good defensively. Fotmob ratings are flawed, but the high rating speaks to how effective he is even though he doesn’t have any goal contributions.
#5 | RB, Nathan Harriel, Philadelphia Union (2001)
Previous Ranking: 5
720 Minutes
xGoals: 0.2
1 Assist
Shot Creating Actions: 12
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 7.53
Nathan has now started 8 straight matches for first place Philadelphia Union. He’s getting better and better and becoming a fringe USMNT player pool consideration. His average FotMob rating is pretty impressive!
#6 | LB, Caleb Wiley, Atlanta United (2004)
Previous Ranking: 10
187 Minutes
1 Goal
xAssists: 1.1
Shot Creating Actions: 11
Goal Creating Actions: 0
FotMob Rating: 7.01
Caleb started for the second consecutive time in week 9 but picked up an injury and was out of action in week 10.
#7 | CM, Leon Flach, Philadelphia Union (2001)
Previous Ranking: 7
738 minutes
xGoals: 0.2
1 Assist
Shot Creating Actions: 7
Goal Creating Actions: 0
Fotmob Rating: 7.07
I think I give the same report on Leon on every version of this column which speaks to how steady he is.
#8 | CB, George Campbell, Atlanta United FC (2001)
Previous Ranking: 6
558 minutes
xGoals: 0.1
xAssists: 0.3
Shot Creating Actions: 8
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.91
George seemed to have solidified the starting right center-back role for Atlanta and then picked up an injury in week 9. He was not in the squad in week 10.
#9 | AM, Brian Gutierrez, Chicago Fire (2003)
Previous Ranking: 8
360 Minutes
xGoals: 0.4
1 Assist
Shot Creating Actions: 12
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.62
Brian has started 3 of the last 4 matches for Chicago and I think he’s developing really nicely. He’s quickly becoming one of the best 2003s in the USMNT pool.
#10 | CM, Bryce Duke, Inter Miami (2001)
Previous Ranking: 24
138 Minutes
Goals: 1
xAssists: 0.1
Shot Creating Actions: 5
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.85
Bryce scored his first career goal in week 9 and was awarded with a start in week 10.
#11 | CM, Cameron Duke, Sporting Kansas City (2001)
Previous Ranking: 19
291 Minutes
xGoals: 0.5
xAssists: 1
Shot Creating Actions: 5
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.55
Cameron subbed on early in week 10 for an injured Graham Zusi and contributed his first assist of the season.
#12 | DM, Obed Vargas, Seattle Sounders (2005)
Previous Ranking: 9
398 minutes
xGoals: 0.2
xAssists: 0.3
Shot Creating Actions: 11
Goal Creating Actions: 0
FotMob Rating: 6.66
Not a lot of action for Obed the past couple of weeks. He subbed in late against San Jose in week 9 and Seattle had week 10 off in prep for the CCL final.
#13 | DM, Sebastian Berhalter, Vancouver Whitecaps (2001)
Previous Ranking: 11
403 Minutes
xGoals: 0.1
xAssists: 0.2
Shot Creating Actions: 9
Goal Creating Actions: 0
FotMob Rating: 7.05
Sebastian has been starting consistently for a struggling Vancouver side. He’s not making a huge impact, but he’s playing quite a bit and his defense has been solid.
#14 | RB, Tayvon Gray, New York City FC (2002)
Previous Ranking: 21
380 minutes
*xGoals: 0.1
*xAssists: 0.2
*Shot Creating Actions: 7
*Goal Creating Actions: 0
FotMob Rating: 7.0
Tayvon had his best offensive game this week and he continues to be very good defensively. NYCFC has gotten noticeably better since his return to the lineup.
#15 | WING, Damián Rivera, New England Revs (2002)
Previous Ranking: NR
112 minutes
1 Goal
xAssists: 0.1
Shot Creating Actions: 4
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 7.51
Damien is a newcomer to the list. He is a Guatemalan-American that received his first career start in week 10 and scored his first career goal in the first minute! It was a very nice strike with his left foot.
#16 | CB, Jaziel Orozco, Real Salt Lake (2004)
Previous Ranking: 12
315 Minutes
xGoals: 0.1
xAssists: 0
Shot Creating Actions: 2
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.3
Jaziel is back on the bench with RSLs starting CBs back in the fold. He showed pretty well in his run of starts and has given the RSL reason to believe he is a CB they can count on in the future.
#17 | RB, Andres Jasson, New York City FC (2002)
Previous Ranking: 13
220 Minutes
xGoals: 0.1
1 Assist
*Shot Creating Actions: 5
*Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.69
Another couple of weeks where Andres did not see the field. He is heading in the wrong direction on this list.
#18 | LWB, Adam Armour, Charlotte FC (2002)
Previous Ranking: 15
85 minutes
1 Goal
xAssists: 0.3
Shot Creating Actions: 5
Goal Creating Actions: 0
FotMob Rating: 6.71
Adam Armour did not get called off the bench in either of the last two matches.
#19 | CM, Caden Clark, New York Red Bulls (2003)
Previous Ranking: 16
94 minutes
xGoals: 0.2
1 assist
Shot Creating Actions: 3
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.34
Caden is still dealing with an injury and should be back in the next couple of weeks.
#20 | AM, Tyler Wolff, Atlanta United FC (2003)
Previous Ranking: 14
253 minutes
xGoals: 0.3
xAssists: 0.2
Shot Creating Actions: 7
Goal Creating Actions: 1
Tyler did not play in week 9 or 10.
#21 | WING/AM, Griffin Yow, DC United (2002)
Previous Ranking: 17
212 minutes
xGoals: 0.4
xAssists: 0.3
Shot Creating Actions: 6
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.47
Griffin has been coming off the bench consistently, but not making a huge impact.
#22 | WING, Matko Miljevic, CF Montreal (2001)
Previous Ranking: 20
198 Minutes
xGoals: 0.3
*xAssists: 0.2
*Shot Creating Actions: 6
*Goal Creating Actions: 0
FotMob Rating: 6.45
Matko’s role has been decreasing as of late. He did not come off the bench in the last two matches.
#23 | LB, Noah Allen, Inter Miami (2004)
Previous Ranking: 18
316 Minutes
xGoals: 0.1
xAssists: 0
Shot Creating Actions: 4
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.34
Noah came in off the bench in week 9 and did not get selected off the bench in week 10.
#24 | CM, Aidan Morris, Columbus Crew (2001)
Previous Ranking: NR
211 minutes
xGoals: 0.1
xAssists: 0
Shot Creating Actions: 3
Goal Creating Actions: 1
FotMob Rating: 6.7
Aidan has been working back slowly after a season ending injury last year. It looks like he has worked his way back int the starting lineup. He has started the last two matches and has been very good defensively. Columbus has played better in the matches that he has started.
#25 | ST, Jackson Conway, Atlanta United (2001)
Previous Ranking: NR
36 minutes
xGoals: 0.6
xAssists: 0
Shot Creating Actions: 2
Goal Creating Actions: 0
FotMob Rating: 5.93
Jackson has started to get some sub minutes and has gotten into a couple of very dangerous positions with 0.6 expected goals in only 36 minutes. Those are some big chances!
Dropped from the list: Josh Atencio, Jack McGlynn
