RSL's Game-by-Game Top Performers

Since the year has come to a close for RSL, I have stopped voting and will be focusing on presenting some interesting stats throughout the next few weeks. If you have not noticed, you can view season stats and averages in the ratings section (the navigation bar close to to top). Also, you can check out each players individual stats and averages game-by-game by clicking their name. Lastly, stats I present will not include the US Open Cup game on 4/30. I will be clearing all stats and ratings associated with that game in the near future, so we will only see MLS regular season games.

So, this post's focus will be on which RSL players had the best performances in a game-by-game basis this year. Calculation note: If two or more players were tied for the top spot for a particular game, then all would be given a tally for that game.

My first thoughts were Jamison Olave and Javier Morales would probably be the top two in this category, since they have garnered the most attention from the media and the boards. I was right with the first choice, as Olave owned the most top performances in a game-by-game basis with 11. The next 2 spots were a tie between Nick Rimando and Will Johnson who had 4. Though, if you wanted a tie-breaker it would have to go to Johnson, since he completed his 4 performances in 9 games and Rimando took all 30 games to get the 4. Javier ended tied with 3 others at 2, and 6 players ended the season tied with 1 top game performance. Here is the full list:

Some interesting notes:

• Olave earned 7 top performances in the span of 9 games (5/24 vs FCD - 7/12 vs CLB). Also, he earned 2 top performances in the next 3 games he played in (7/19 vs CHI - 8/23 vs CLB; not including HOU game he DNP).
• Does Morales only getting 2 top performances, and being considered the MVP of RSL, kind of prove that he is someone who makes other players on the team better? Because each game he may not be considered the most attractive player on the field from the ratings, but he is in 3rd place in overall season ratings.
• Only two players completed back-to-back top performances. Jamison Olave completed two separate back-to-back-to-back top performances (6/7 vs KC - 6/18 vs SJ & 6/28 vs KC - 7/12 vs CLB). Will Johnson completed one back-to-back-to-back (9/6 vs LA - 9/20 vs CHV). So, if a player did back-to-back top performances, then the same player would be the top performer in the following week as well.
• Ian Joy completed the most games without earning any top performances with 19 games played. Tony Beltran was next with 15 games. Then, came a three-way tie with Clint Mathis, Kenny Cutler and Robbie Russell all at 11 games played.

Let me know what you guys think of the stats. Any surprise that Olave had that many top performances? Or, Morales is not getting enough recognition game-by-game? Also, check back soon for more stats.