This article is part of our MLS Barometer series.
Three Up
Dillon Powers
Powers has the honor of being the 2015 Barometer's first two-timer, coming back from an early-season downgrade. At the beginning of the season, manager Pablo Mastroeni didn't seem to recognize what the rest of the league knew: Powers is THE premier talent on the Rapids. Through the first four matches, Powers saw time in the No. 10 role just once. The Rapids proceeded to score zero goals over that span. The last two games have seen Pablo wisen up! Powers moved back into the center of the attacking midfield and led the Rapids to a breakout 4-0 victory over FC Dallas, providing a goal and an assist.
Following that up, Colorado attempted 27 shots against Seattle this past weekend, and Powers played his part with another tidy assist to Gabriel Torres. Through the first four games, Powers had just three key passes. In the last two, he has nine. Colorado may not be the most clinical squad offensively, but at least they are now capable, and Powers is largely to thank. Many smart soccer minds are pining for Jurgen Klinsmann to give the kid a much-deserved chance internationally. Let's hope that Jurgen recognizes it a bit quicker than Pablo!
Darren Mattocks
Mattocks has only played at least 70 minutes in three matches this year, but they have all come in the past two weeks. The quick Jamaican hasn't been afforded quite the opportunity he had in previous years, with a wealth of other promising young options in Vancouver. He has grabbed this most recent one by the horns, though, with two goals and an assist in the three match span. Sharing many qualities with teammate Kekuta Manneh, Mattocks has the athletic ability to truly change a game. His cameo has given Whitecaps fans a look at what that can accomplish when combined with some focused determination. He showed great awareness in his assist, a quick throw in to Octavio Rivero, and in his game-winning goal when he smartly drifted off Jamison Olave's back shoulder to direct a header past Nick Rimando.
While he isn't nailed on to start every match, Mattocks should make the most of his playing time thanks to one of the most talented attacking casts in Major League Soccer. The squad should be back to full force this upcoming week, so monitor how Mattocks is used moving forward. Manager Carl Robinson will be keen to ride this wave of good form from the winger, and his goal scoring history suggests that he could continue pushing for a permanent spot in the starting 11.
Benny Feilhaber
This is a long overdue appearance in the Barometer for Feilhaber. Arguably the best midfield player in MLS this season, Feilhaber has five assists in seven matches and sits fifth in the league with 17 key passes. His responsibility defensively has been equally stellar, as Sporting Kansas City cope with news faces and injuries. While he isn't a natural goal scorer, Feilhaber is a threat every time he directs a set piece towards goal. His dead ball service is at least on par with the overrated service of Graham Zusi, and surely more consistent. Midfield partner Roger Espinoza is also playing at a high level, freeing Feilhaber up to show his creativity. Notably, Feilhaber leads the league in assists despite Dom Dwyer's scoring drought. Dwyer can be counted on for well north of his one lonely goal thus far, and Feilhaber will happily continue to feed him chances and reap the eventual rewards. Sporting Kansas City's midfield general had a reasonable argument for making the US World Cup squad last summer, and has come into 2015 playing even better. Feilhaber is putting on a clinic in both halves of the field, and luckily for fans in the Kansas City Cauldron, it looks likely to stretch well into the summer.
Three Down
Darlington Nagbe
It's not often the case, but Alexi Lalas was spot on Sunday night when describing Nagbe's talent versus his performance on the pitch, or lack thereof. It just never looks like Nagbe wants to dominate a game, especially not in the final third. He undoubtedly can, and his highlight reel proves it, but someone with this much talent shouldn't be relegated to a highlight reel. Two assists and 19 key passes isn't anything to scoff at, but as Lalas said, very few people in the league have the ability that Nagbe does. Portland's coveted star needs some conviction around the goal. Last season, the Liberian-American scored a measly one goal. One! Plentiful playing time alongside Diego Valeri should ensure many many more goals than that for anybody, let alone someone of Nagbe's caliber. Excitement for Nagbe to gain US citizenship was once at a fever pitch, but it would be tough to blame anyone for not counting down the days until Klinsmann can call him into camp. It's still enjoyable to watch Nagbe dance around the midfield and draw so many fouls that referees have to make sure they bring a backup can of vanishing foam. Ultimately though, his production has long been frustrating to Timbers fans, fantasy owners, and red-headed pundits with a microphone.
Jairo Arrieta
Arrieta drew a lot of praise after his Week 1 performance against the Montreal Impact. With a goal, and some other crafty offensive flashes, many wondered if the change of scenery from Columbus to D.C. (by way of an Orlando City expansion pick) could bring back his 2012 form. Not so fast! The Costa Rican veteran is still the same fringe talent that appeared on the pitch far too often in Columbus. Since that first match for D.C. United, he has not appeared on the score sheet at all. With Fabian Espindola suspended, Arrieta had a small chance to show that he could be a part of the attack, but he has ended up being a true fill-in. Manager Ben Olsen has been quick to pull him in the second half of matches, and veterans Chris Rolfe and Chris Pontius are simply better. On the bench, promising young players Luis Silva and Miguel Aguilar are more intriguing options. Arrieta hasn't done much of anything with consistent playing time, and with Espindola's return imminent, it is time to abandon ship.
Michael Bradley
Let's get this out of the way: Bradley is an outstanding piece of the US Men's National Team. The debate concerning his optimal midfield placement aside, Bradley combines grit and finesse in a way that few American players in recent memory have been able to come close to.
However, his tenure at Toronto FC has been less astounding. Stuck between wanting to join the attack in a league he should dominate, and needing to help a pathetic defense that consistently costs TFC valuable points, Bradley hasn't often found the balance that somebody like Feilhaber seems to have down pat. In his four matches this year, he has factored into zero of his team's seven goals. The man who was decisively bouncing around the field in San Antonio last week, looks constricted when he gets on the field with Toronto. Last year was much of the same, with Bradley only earning two goals and four assists. This season, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco should help raise those numbers up for Bradley, but his MLS ceiling still feels lower than his international floor. Benoit Cheyrou was brought in over the winter to allow Bradley the freedom to push higher up the field, but thus far it's been tough to notice a difference. Additionally, Bradley's touches have had a tendency to look sloppy for large swathes of a match. Typically a hyper-focused player, it's possible that pressure and frustration are getting the best of the TFC skipper early on. Perhaps this is more of a reminder to use caution with the fantasy-unfriendly Bradley than it is a reflection of poor play, but nonetheless TFC is struggling once again this season, and Bradley will shoulder much of the blame if they miss the playoffs.
