There is a new face atop the Castrol Index, but it’s certainly not one unfamiliar to the spotlight.
LA Galaxy star Landon Donovan has taken over the top spot from New York’s Thierry Henry after an impressive showing in July, vaulting from the No. 4 spot. Donovan scored three goals and added an assist in four games last month after he returned from US national team duty at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, good enough to take the rankings’ top spot for the first time this season.
Henry, who scored three goals in five games last month for the Red Bulls, fell to No. 2 after leading the index all season.
FC Dallas defender George John fell a spot to No. 3 in the latest index, while Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers also dropped a spot to No. 4. Defender Chance Myers, the former No. 1 overall draft pick who has enjoyed a breakout season while helping anchor Sporting Kansas City’s back line, rounds out the top five after rocketing up from No. 85.
In fact, Sporting Kansas City saw a number of players make ground in the latest index, including defenders Aurélien Collin (from No. 47 to 12) and Matt Besler (32 to 19) and star striker Omar Bravo, who blasted from No. 181 last month to No. 38 in the latest poll after scoring three goals in six games last month for SKC. Bravo gained more spots in the index than any other player this month, followed by New York’s Juan Agudelo (No. 242 to 111) and Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza (209 to 89).
Real Salt Lake striker Fabián Espíndola recorded the best month from a points standpoint, scoring 9.31 out of a possible 10 for the month. RSL defender Jámison Olave, who currently sits in sixth place in the overall standings, scored 9.24 last month, while Philadelphia Union defender Carlos Valdés scored 9.18.
Toronto FC newcomer Danny Koevermans, meanwhile, broke into the league and the index with a bang, logging a score of 9.12 in his half-month in MLS.
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