MLS Team of the Week: LA Galaxy Trio Shine, Villa’s Scoring Form Continues

While you were busy debating Clint Dempsey's suspension and chasing Andrea Pirlo through the streets of New York City, you might have missed plenty of quality performances on the field in Major League Soccer.  In Week 16, a few of the top franchises delivered arguably their best performances of the year. The LA Galaxy stole most of the on-field headlines with a romp at home over the Philadelphia Union. Thanks to their five-goal output, the Galaxy earned three spots in the latest MLS Team of the Week. Some of the league's most creative midfielders and forwards turned in plenty of brilliant individual performances, and that led us to choose a 4-3-3 formation for our best XI from Week 16. Continue reading to see who joined the Galaxy trio in our latest MLS Team of the Week.Begin Slideshow

MLS Player Rankings: Villa Rises, Martins, Birnbaum Enter After Week 15

Due to the small slate of games in Major League Soccer in Week 15, a few players were able to shine with the spotlight solely focused on them.  The player who amazed us all this past weekend was David Villa, who helped drive New York City FC to a win at Yankee Stadium.  Thanks to his efforts in front of goal and the absence of some of the top stars from the pitch, Villa surged up our latest MLS Player Rankings. While not much changed near the top, Villa and a few other players climbed in the bottom half in our list of the top 20 players in the league. Continue reading on to see where Villa and 19 other stars of MLS landed in the Week 15 edition of the MLS Player Rankings. Begin Slideshow

MLS Team of the Week: David Villa Shines for NYCFC in Week 15

Despite featuring only five games over two days, Week 15 of play in Major League Soccer produced plenty of quality on the pitch.  The player who displayed the most skill this weekend was David Villa, who is starting to boost New York City FC up the Eastern Conference table.  Three other big names featured in prominent roles in their respective matches across North America in Week 15, which forced us into choosing a 3-5-2 formation for our MLS Team of the Week.  Continue reading on to see which stars joined Villa in our attack-heavy best 11 from the latest week of play in MLS. Begin Slideshow

MLS Player Rankings: Giovinco Claims Top Spot, Bruin Makes Big Debut

One player has been head and shoulders above everyone else in Major League Soccer over the last month.  Sebastian Giovinco has torn opposing defenses to shreds in the Toronto FC attack with Jozy Altidore out injured. The little Italian, who usually benefits from Michael Bradley's strong play in midfield, starred without Bradley and Altidore in the starting lineup in Week 14.  Elsewhere across the league, one in-form forward surged into the top 10 of our MLS Player Rankings after another impressive showing up top for his club.  Continue reading on to see which 20 players featured in the Week 14 edition of the MLS Player Rankings. Begin Slideshow

MLS Team of the Week: Giovinco, Bruin, Adi Each Score Twice in Week 14

Week 14 in Major League Soccer produced a slew of moments that players would like to forget immediately.  From Adailton scoring the first own-goal brace in league history to Dillon Powers' brutal missed penalty to a couple of controversial refereeing decisions in Kansas City and San Jose, play was not easy on the eyes.  However, if you look past the rough highlights from the past five days of action, you will be able to pick out a handful of impressive individual performances.  Sebastian Giovinco continued his superb form for Toronto FC, while a pair of forwards scored braces in different roles for their respective sides. We also witnessed the skill of some young stars and a great effort in net. Due to the flashy attacking play on display in Week 14, we lined up our MLS Team of the Week in a 4-3-3 formation with three offensive-minded midfielders.  Read on to see who landed a spot in the latest MLS Team of the Week.Begin Slideshow

MLS Player Rankings: Kamara Edges Giovinco, Nemeth Surges After Week 13

The competition for the top spot in our weekly MLS Player Rankings heated up in Week 13, as a pair of stars staked their claim to be named the top player in the league.  Kei Kamara continued his ridiculous run of scoring with a goal against Orlando City, while Sebastian Giovinco carved up another opposing defense in the Toronto FC attack.  Further down the list of the top 20 players in MLS is a new arrival who is beginning to catch headlines on a weekly basis for one of the top clubs in the league.  Continue reading to see who landed where in the Week 13 edition of the MLS Player Rankings. Begin Slideshow

MLS Team of the Week: Giovinco Runs Wild for Toronto in Week 13

In his first three months on the Major League Soccer circuit, Sebastian Giovinco has left a lasting impression with fans across the league.  Giovinco, who was the top player in Week 13, has entered the discussion of best player in the league alongside the likes of Obafemi Martins and Robbie Keane. If he continues to dazzle in Toronto red, he could end up as the favorite for Most Valuable Player.  Elsewhere across MLS this week, we saw a few dominant performances and some contests affected by red cards.  After the dust settled on play in the final week of May, we ended up selecting two players from Vancouver and D.C. as well as one of Giovinco's teammates for our MLS Team of the Week. Since no position group stood out a ton over the last five days, we opted to mold our team in a traditional 4-4-2 formation. Continue reading on to see who featured in the Week 13 edition of the MLS Team of the Week.Begin Slideshow

MLS Player Rankings: Kamara Moves Back to Top, Feilhaber Makes Big Gain

With 12 weeks of play in Major League Soccer in the books, it is becoming clearer who the top stars of the 2015 season are going to be.  During the 12th week of action across North America this weekend, players such as Kei Kamara, Sebastian Giovinco and Benny Feilhaber continued to star for their respective sides.  Due to their tremendous efforts on the field, the trio occupy three of the top four spots in the MLS Player Rankings. The other one is reserved for an attacker who had a rare off week.  Continue reading on to see which order these stars were aligned in on the list of the top 20 players in MLS.Begin Slideshow

MLS Team of the Week: Philadelphia, Montreal Pairs Impress in Week 12

The bizarre results we witnessed across Major League Soccer last weekend continued in Week 12, as parity reigned supreme across North America.  The Philadelphia Union and Montreal Impact both earned impressive victories against two of the top sides in the league, while the Colorado Rapids pulled out a much-needed home victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps.  One team that is used to being represented at least once in our MLS Team of the Week also stood out in Week 12, as Sporting Kansas City took four points from a tough two-game stretch.  Two players from Philadelphia, Montreal and Sporting KC earned top marks after Week 12 as well as one standout midfielder from Colorado.  Due to a few extra-strong showings up top, we opted to use a 4-3-3 formation this week.  Continue reading to see which players qualified for our latest MLS Team of the Week. Begin Slideshow

MLS Player Rankings: Dempsey Stays on Top, Felipe Rises, Larin and Wondo Debut

The wild and wonderful world of Major League Soccer handed us some wacky results in Week 11, and it also saw a few unsung players step into the spotlight.  Due to the drop in production from some of the league's stars in Week 11, a few under-the-radar players were able to break into the league-wide conversation.  One top player who contributed to yet another goal for his side was Clint Dempsey, who remains atop the MLS Player Rankings for the second consecutive week.  Joining Dempsey on the list after Week 11 are guys like Cyle Larin and Chris Wondolowski, who have been consistent up top for their respective sides.  Continue reading on to see who else featured in this week's compilation of MLS' 20 best players. Begin Slideshow