This article is part of our MLS Barometer series.
Three Up
Jaime Penedo
It appears as though Bruce Arena knew exactly what he was doing when he chose to rest an ailing Penedo for the season's first two weeks. After three matches between the posts, Penedo has only allowed one goal. The Panamanian keeper returned from international duty to hold the high-powered Vancouver Whitecaps scoreless, making seven saves. He then one-upped his own brilliance this weekend by blanking the Seattle Sounders with a whopping 10 saves. Penedo stood on his head several times, sporting the reflexes that make him one of Major League Soccer's most impressive keepers when he's in form.
The past two matches, and corresponding clean sheets, are Penedo's first with A.J. DeLaGarza this season. That is likely not a coincidence, as Omar Gonzalez and DeLaGarza should be one of the better centerback pairings in the league. It's tough to laud the defenders in a pair of games that saw them allow 17 shots on target, but considering the opponents, it shouldn't be a primary concern either. At the moment, the Galaxy are not designed to win high-octane matches, and should continue to lean on their veteran defense to get results. Ultimately, Penedo is fortunate to play behind this caliber of defense, but he has also proven more than capable of putting them on his shoulders an equal amount.
Kevin Molino
No team has oozed more offensive potential in 2015 than Orlando City SC. That isn't to say they are the best or the most dangerous, and in fact they are far from it. Molino could be the player that propels them to the top level. It feels like offensive opportunities are popping up like moles in whack-a-mole, and Molino is simply too overwhelmed to hit any of them. While prior seasons suggest his first instinct is to shoot, playing beside Kaka has visibly injected doubt in his game. Deferring to the legendary Brazilian isn't particularly a poor strategy, but defenders lean Kaka's way too, and Molino needs to take advantage of this with both his silky touches and his impressive agility.
This weekend's performance against Portland showed a shift toward some much needed selfishness, without sacrificing the rest of his game. Molino grabbed an assist along with three key passes, a statistic in which both he and Kaka are among the league leaders. Also notable is the Trinidadian's 15 recoveries against Portland, evidence of his energetic yet purposeful hustle all over the field. Overall, Molino's adjustment to a higher level of soccer has been quick, and his numbers indicate that much more than one lonely assist is on the way. The two-time USL Most Valuable Player looks poised to make the leap, and he could elevate the entire Lions' attack along with him.
Kei Kamara
Kamara shares a lot of the good qualities of our last pick, Molino, but he brings a deal more experience to the table. He is comfortable finishing chances, and benefits from a great play-maker in Federico Higuain. While his speed is still evident, his scoring chances have come more so from Wondolowski-like movement in the attacking third. Kamara is simply getting into the right places at exactly the right time, and has reaped the rewards with three goals in five matches. Additionally, he is second only to David Villa in shots per game with 4.6.
The Crew proved midweek that they are a flexible offensive squad when Kamara scored a brace despite Higuain sitting out. Justin Meram continues to look dangerous, as does Hernan Grana, whom has yet to be reminded that he is a defender. All of the talent on the wings spells good news for Kamara, who excels in the air as well. Realistically, the Crew's only solution at striker could easily have double his actual goal total already. With speed, size, opportunity and a polished pair of finishing boots, the 20-goal plateau does not seem quite as far-fetched for Kamara as it did in the preseason.
Three Down
Michel
FC Dallas was humbled by a breakout Colorado Rapids performance in Week 6. Oscar Pareja, following up a week filled with tissue-gate discussion, decided to rest star defender Matt Hedges. The result was Colorado ending it's dreadful goalless drought, with not one, but four goals! While it would be easy to blame Pareja's karma or the decision to leave Hedges off the team sheet, it is more accurate to blame the poor outings by players like Michel. Intended to be a rock in the defensive midfield, Michel has become a free-kick specialist who does not bring much else to the table. The 33 year old Brazilian has not filled any of the distribution void left by Mauro Diaz's absence, with just a 70.1 percent passing percentage, nor has he fulfilled his end of the bargain defensively. The result on Friday night was a short shift for Michel as he substituted off at halftime.
The FC Dallas attack is really hampered by Michel and Victor Ulloa essentially both parking themselves in front of the back four, and while Blas Perez may be able to hold the ball up long enough for Michel to meander up the pitch, a thoroughbred like Fabian Castillo wants to hit opponents on the counter as fast as possible. Both for real life utility, and fantasy purposes, Michel is dependent on set pieces. For some players around the world, that is acceptable. For an aging MLS player on a team that lost to the hot mess that is the Rapids, it is worrisome. As Diaz returns to health, and teammates like Ryan Hollingshead continue to impress, it is fair to wonder how Michel fits into this group moving forward.
Alvaro Saborio
After posting 17 goals in 2012, Saborio's output has declined both of the past two seasons. Many thought this would be the year for a return to form, but anyone holding their breath has long since had to come up for air. With just one goal -- which came on a penalty -- this season, Saborio has yet to make an impression in any of his four matches. The Costa Rican isn't getting many shots off or combining well with teammates. It's safe to say the entire attack is missing the qualities of Jaoa Plata, and Real Salt Lake have bizarrely used their 4-3-3 formation to bunker down defensively more than open up their offense. Saborio appears to float out wide more often than previous seasons, which does not suit his game, and he likely isn't helping any of his teammates either. Poor play from Olmes Garcia and Sebastien Jaime haven't helped matters, but the presence of Javier Morales should alone be enough to look more dangerous than Saborio has thus far. Until Plata's return, it's difficult to envision the 4-3-3 working for RSL, and Saborio's frequent national team action is not helping the transition. Thankfully, his position is not in jeopardy from the likes of Devon Sandoval, but just getting into the starting 11 hasn't meant much for the ineffective front line for Salt Lake this season.
Chris Wondolowski
Wondo has been one of Major League Soccer's premier goal scorers this decade, but a recent deeper role in the San Jose formation has put a damper on his offensive outlook. Much like March, the veteran striker has turned from lion to lamb in his new position that keeps him away from the front of the goal, his natural habitat. Ever the loyal soldier, Wondolowski will undoubtedly do whatever savvy manager Dominic Kinnear thinks is best for the team. With towering Adam Jahn, and lightning quick Innocent Emeghara in the fold, the front line has become a tad crowded. Matias Perez Garcia must also squeeze as far forward in the midfield as possible to pull the strings in the offense. Despite some good results so far this season, San Jose just doesn't feel like it has any sort of identity yet. Additionally, it has proven difficult to get the entire team on the field all at once, and this Friday might be no different thanks to Wondolowski's international duty on Wednesday. Though it isn't clear if his shift is meant to be permanent, an experiment, or just a temporary necessity, the fact of the matter is that the man was born to get in front of the goal. His two-goal performance in Seattle is proof of what he still can do, and it's difficult to imagine that San Jose would be better off utilizing him differently. For now, however, they appear intent to do just that. Monitor the situation in San Jose before relying on Wondolowski in the near future.
