As we approach the final two months of the MLS regular season, the race for the Golden Boot is heating up, with Columbus Crew SC striker Kei Kamara the current leader after surpassing Toronto's Sebastian Giovinco on the strength of Saturday's two-goal performance. We'll take a weekly look at the standings from here on out, and keep tabs on David Villa (NYCFC), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) and anyone else who can push their way into the discussion during the season's final stretch.
Player
Club
Games(Remaining)
Opp. GAA (Remaining)
For the top four, a closer look at remaining schedules (above) shows Keane might be running out of time, since the Galaxy countdown has hit single-digits and comes against stingy defenses. Giovinco faces the easiest remaining path – with a game in hand on both Villa and Kamara.
Last year's winner, Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips, has started to come on as well, matching Orlando City SC rookie sensation Cyle Larin's 11 goals by posting three in his club's last four games. Portland's Fanendo Adi (10) rounds out the double-digit scorers, though a now-healthy Obafemi Martins (9) looms, following a brace in Sunday's 4-0 home victory against Orlando.
BIGGEST MOVER: Bradley Wright-Phillips +1 spot
GOALS:
17
RANK: 1
LAST WEEK: 1
Kei Kamara — CLB
In the middle of a five-goal in five-games run, Kamara fantastic return to MLS shows no signs of slowing down. His hot streak has been fortuitous, coming as Giovinco has (relatively) cooled, not finding the back of the net for two games.
Kamara faces a tougher remaining schedule, with one fewer game. Can he keep the lead?
GOALS:
16
RANK: 2
LAST WEEK: 2
Sebastian Giovinco — TOR
Giovinco's July was ... scorching! The Italian tallied five goals for Toronto FC, assisting on five others, leaving him on pace for a 22-goal, 17-assist season. That would make him the only player in MLS history with at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a season.
GOALS:
14
RANK: 3
LAST WEEK: 3
David Villa — NYC
WATCH: Goal vs DC
After seven consecutive scoreless games in April and May, Villa's third goal pulled the stopper off a flurry, with eight shots finding the back of the net in the seven to follow. And if he keeps developing this kind of chemistry with Andrea Pirlo ... yikes.
GOALS:
13
RANK: 4
LAST WEEK: 4
Robbie Keane — LA
WATCH: Goal 1 vs DAL | Goal 2 vs DAL
Keane has been prolific in the games he's played this season, averaging 0.87 goals per 90 minutes, including Sunday's brace. But with only eight games remaining, he's running out of time to overtake the leaders.
GOALS:
11
RANK: T-5
LAST WEEK: 6
WATCH: Goal vs TOR
With three goals in his last four games, and five in six overall, BWP is making a late push to compete. The Red Bulls have 11 games remaining, and if they keep playing (current unbeaten streak: 5-0-1) and pressing (38 GF) like this, opportunity will knock.
