Most of the big names were held scoreless in Week 26, but one familiar one surged back into contention in the race for the MLS Golden Boot.
Columbus Crew SC striker Kei Kamara remains the current leader despite failing to score in his team's 2-1 win at New York City FC on Saturday. Top challengers Sebastian Giovinco, Robbie Keane and David Villa were all held scoreless last week as well, but MLS single-season scoring record holder Bradley Wright-Phillips struck twice on Sunday night to break back into the top five.
The international break will see many of these contenders off until Sept. 11-13, but here's how many games their respective clubs have remaining:
Player |
Club |
Gms Left |
|---|---|---|
Sebastian Giovinco |
TOR |
9 |
Bradley Wright-Phillips |
NY |
9 |
David Villa |
NYC |
7 |
Kei Kamara |
CLB |
7 |
Robbie Keane |
LA |
6 |
The big Crew SC forward almost added to his league-leading tally against New York City FC, but his header crashed against the crossbar. He also knocked one in with his arm, getting a yellow card for his troubles, but Kamara's Columbus team did come away with a crucial win. Unfortunately for his Golden Boot chances, Kamara will miss the Crew SC's weekend game due to international duty.
GOALS:
17
RANK: 2
LAST WEEK: 2
Sebastian Giovinco — TOR
The Italian maestro helped set up a goal in Toronto's 2-1 win over rival Montreal on Saturday but also left the game with an adductor injury. That same injury has now ruled him out of Euro 2016 qualifiers for Italy this week. Will he be available when Toronto FC travel to take on Seattle late Saturday night?
GOALS:
15
RANK: T-3
LAST WEEK: T-3
David Villa — NYC
Moved out wide in an effort to get more numbers into New York City FC's attack, the Spaniard fired off six of NYCFC's 19 shots but was denied three times by Columbus Crew SC goalkeeper Steve Clark. What's worse, Villa's team was denied the three points they needed to make a playoff push. His next chance to score will be Sept. 12 at FC Dallas.
GOALS:
15
RANK: T-3
LAST WEEK: T-3
Robbie Keane — LA
The streaking Galaxy were shut out for the first time in more than a month, which means Keane was shut down by the surging San Jose Earthquakes last Friday, limited to just one shot on goal. Like many teams, LA return to action on Sept. 12, hosting the Montreal Impact.
GOALS:
13
RANK: 5
LAST WEEK: T-7
WATCH: Goal 1 vs DC | Goal 2 vs DC
After tying the MLS record with 27 goals last season, and adding four more in the playoffs, the Red Bulls frontman led the way in a 3-0 demolition of Atlantic Cup rivals D.C. United on Sunday night. After assisting the opener, he struck for two goals of his own (one is up for Goal of the Week), and with nine games remaining, tied for the second-highest total in the league, he could make a bid to retain his crown.
