Castrol Weekly Top 20: Scott rises above them all

In the brief MLS history of the Seattle Sounders, only one player – central defender Jeff Parke – had logged more minutes than Zach Scott before bagging his debut goal.

When Parke broke through last season, he gave his team three points and one of the more memorable celebrations of the year, and also took home MLS Player of the Week honors.

Scott’s was also a game-winner and also produced a fairly enthusiastic celebration, but unlike Parke he didn’t get a Player of the Week nod. What he does take home, however, is top spot in the Weekly Top 20, powered by the Castrol Index, for Week 6.

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The veteran has filled in admirably for injured Adam Johansson over the past few weeks, and against the Rapids had probably his finest performance in the league. Even without the goal, Scott was an influential player. He won a bagful of headers at midfield, completed a high percentage of his passes, won the second ball five times and had four interceptions as well. All-in-all a more than solid day from his right back slot.

At No. 2 was FC Dallas forward Blas Perez, who was one of the big heroes of the week with a goal and assist against Montreal in FCD’s 2-1 win. Perez had four shots on the night – all from inside the area – and completed the bulk of his attempted passes in the final third.

Sporting KC central defender Aurelien Collin, who got his second game-winner of the season against RSL, grabbed the No. 3 spot on the strength of his dominant defensive performance in SKC’s 1-0 win.

A surprising No. 4 is New England target man Saer Sene, who assisted Pepe Moreno’s opener in the Revs’ 2-1 loss to D.C. United. Sene’s passing was absolutely clinical on the evening, completing 27 of his 32 attempts and setting up two other gilt-edged chances aside from Moreno’s goal. He also won three second balls and drew a foul to set up a set-piece opportunity for the hosts.

The first goalkeeper on the list is also the Player of the Week, Chivas USA’s Dan Kennedy. The netminder was absolutely stellar in backstopping the Rojiblancos to their third straight road win, this one by 1-0 at Toronto FC.

Familiar faces round out the rest of the top 10, as Chris Wondolowski, Landon Donovan, Kevin Hartman, Kris Boyd and Jimmy Nielsen – who still hasn’t been forced to make a save in over three-and-a-half games – all worked their way onto the list.

The biggest surprise in the top 20 is Toronto forward Danny Koevermans, who pulls in at 14 despite spurning numerous chances against Chivas. The idea is, though, that just getting into position to take those chances is evidence of quality play – and that if he keeps doing so, the goals will come.

Toronto fans surely hope so, to say the least.

Weekly Top 20 Performers - Week 6 Powered by Castrol Index