Mike Magee had a monstrous game to kick off the 2013 season, and as a result saw himself atop the year's first edition of the Castrol Index Weekly Top 20.
The veteran attacker, who's spent most of his career playing midfield, lined up as a forward on Sunday against the Chicago Fire and justified manager Bruce Arena's confidence with a hat trick. It was the first of Magee's career, and launched the two-time defending MLS Cup champions to the top of the standings. (See how players collect points in the Castrol methodology here).
Last year's winner, LA's Robbie Keane, pulled in at No. 2 for his goal and assist performance in the same game. The 32-year-old Irishman now has 19 goals and 11 assists in 33 career MLS regular-season games. Teammate Omar Gonzalez joined them in the Top 20 for his help in pitching a 4-0 shutout.
Other forwards who made their presence felt were Real Salt Lake's Álvaro Saborío, Philadelphia's Sébastien Le Toux and New York's Fabián Espíndola, all of whom landed in the Top 10.
It wasn't all about the attack, however. RSL's Nick Rimando placed third on the strength of his 100th career shutout in a 2-0 statement win at San Jose, and Troy Perkins of Montreal was fourth thanks to a huge 1-0 win in Seattle.
It's no surprise to see the Portland Timbers duo of Diego Valeri and Darlington Nagbe make the list, as both played crucial roles in their team's comeback draw against Espíndola and the Red Bulls. Center forward Ryan Johnson also gets a mention, though he'll have to wonder how much further up the chart he could have climbed had he converted his stoppage-time bicycle attempt.
Castrol Index Week 1 Top 20 Performers
Rank |
Player |
Position |
Team |
Minutes |
Opponent |
Points |
1 |
Mike Magee |
Midfielder |
LA Galaxy |
81 |
Chicago Fire |
1,936 |
2 |
Robbie Keane |
Forward |
LA Galaxy |
90 |
Chicago Fire |
1,669 |
3 |
Nick Rimando |
Goalkeeper |
Real Salt Lake |
90 |
San Jose Earthquakes |
1,537 |
4 |
Troy Perkins |
Goalkeeper |
Montreal Impact |
90 |
Seattle Sounders |
1,319 |
5 |
Álvaro Saborío |
Forward |
Real Salt Lake |
87 |
San Jose Earthquakes |
1,307 |
6 |
Sébastien Le Toux |
Forward |
Philadelphia Union |
90 |
Sporting Kansas City |
1,304 |
7 |
Fabián Espíndola |
Forward |
New York Red Bulls |
72 |
Portland Timbers |
1,304 |
8 |
Raúl Fernández |
Goalkeeper |
FC Dallas |
90 |
Colorado Rapids |
1,223 |
9 |
Graham Zusi |
Midfielder |
Sporting Kansas City |
90 |
Philadelphia Union |
1,205 |
10 |
Josh Williams |
Defender |
Columbus Crew |
90 |
Chivas USA |
1,192 |
11 |
Jimmy Nielsen |
Goalkeeper |
Sporting Kansas City |
90 |
Philadelphia Union |
1,190 |
12 |
Darlington Nagbe |
Midfielder |
Portland Timbers |
90 |
New York Red Bulls |
1,121 |
13 |
Diego Valeri |
Midfielder |
Portland Timbers |
90 |
New York Red Bulls |
1,094 |
14 |
Ricardo Clark |
Midfielder |
Houston Dynamo |
90 |
D.C. United |
1,011 |
15 |
Andy Gruenebaum |
Goalkeeper |
Columbus Crew |
90 |
Chivas USA |
1,011 |
16 |
Ryan Johnson |
Forward |
Portland Timbers |
90 |
New York Red Bulls |
1,010 |
17 |
Jackson |
Midfielder |
FC Dallas |
90 |
Colorado Rapids |
979 |
18 |
Omar Gonzalez |
Defender |
LA Galaxy |
90 |
Chicago Fire |
923 |
19 |
Davy Arnaud |
Midfielder |
Montreal Impact |
90 |
Seattle Sounders |
903 |
20 |
Oriol Rosell |
Midfielder |
Sporting Kansas City |
90 |
Philadelphia Union |
901 |