End of Season Awards - Goalkeepers

Our first end of season poll was released today as the MLS Scout awards for 2017 get underway.

We first focus on goalkeepers and you get just a single opportunity to vote for your top stopper of the season from an overall Fantasy point of view. Factors such as points, price and value across the various games should all be taken into account.

Although our polls tend to be weighted towards the MLS Fantasy (FMLS) game, we’ve also considered each player’s performance in other offerings where clean sheet alone are essential to points output.

Before we get underway, let’s cast an eye back to last year’s team of the season and, in particular, the choice for number one goalkeeper:

ZACK STEFFEN

Columbus’ number one was not the perfect option for most MLS Fantasy squads, but did make himself known throughout the season.

Initially setting you back 4.5 as a route into the Crews’ defence, Steffen served up just 9 clean sheets yet still ended the season as the top-scoring keeper in MLS Fantasy on 169 points.

A price hike is clearly inevitable, but if Steffen can remain under the 5.5 mark, many will surely consider his services once again.

You can read more about Zack Steffen here:

STEFAN FREI

This season’s joint top MLS Fantasy goalkeeper the Sounders stopper managed just one clean sheet in the first six Gameweeks before Brian Schmetzer’s side managed to turn around their fortunes after Round 12.

Courtois chalked up a further 12 shut-outs in his subsequent 30 league outings to finish as the top-scoring keeper in joint first position overall, although with just 13 save points over the season, he came in third in the MLS Fantasy keeper standings.

The Belgian seems likely to stay at 7.0, yet with Joevin Jones and Chad Marshall offering a significant goal threat from the back, Schmetzer’s rearguard regulars are likely to keep Frei out of consideration again.

TIM MELIA

Starting the season priced at 5.0, the American international’s total of 4 clean sheets in the first six Rounds immediately made him great choice for a “fire and forget” keeper.

A very handy back-up keeper option, he finished the season with a 16.9% ownership and averaged 2.5 saves per match in MLS Fantasy – the same as Frei, for example.

Melia’s heroics were not enough to for the Crew to gain a playoff spot, would go onto claim 10 clean sheets on the season, with most of those coming in the first part of the season.

It was somewhat telling that he was rested for the run-in to the season, having to go off early in the 1-1 draw with Minnesota United in the 58th minute, having picked up a Right Hamstring Injury.

LUIS ROBLES

The American offered a secure route into the league’s most resilient defence, with New York Red Bulls conceding 47 goals over the campaign.

A consistent starter throughout the entire season, Robles finished just a point behind Melia at the MLS Fantasy keeper summit.

Like the Chelsea keeper, however, Lloris was overshadowed by his attack-minded defensive team-mates, with the likes of Aaron Long, Kemar Lawrence and Damien Perrinelle all thriving in Jesse Marsch’s system.

Those tactics are likely to keep him off our radar once again as the Red Bulls wing-backs offer far more potential for points at either end of the pitch.

ALEX BONO

With Toronto FC, considered to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, Alex Bono was going to prove to be a major MLS Fantasy option for TFC.

Initially listed at 4.5, Bono minutes were managed throughout the entire season and offered us one of the most secure cut-price routes between the posts – a good second keeper option for your respective MLS Fantasy teams.

A total of ten clean sheets accrued all of those games, helped Alex Bono to have a good first season for “The Reds”, it should set him up well for next season with TFC.