Three weeks into the MLS season the Lions sit in second place in the east with a game in hand and only behind on goal difference. The hot start to 2017 has been spurred on by key performances from the defense and clinical finishing up top. Leading the way has been Joe Bendik, Jonathan Spector and Cyle Larin. All three have been named to the MLS Team of the Week twice, and the Audi Player Index justifies those selections.
The trio are the only City representatives in the Audi Player Index Top 20 for the entire League. Even more impressive, is the fact that each lead the way for their respective positions in the Audi Index.
Leading the forward group is City's number nine, Cyle Larin. Obviously, Cyle is getting goals early on but helping his overall score has been his defensive performance which rates him well above his competitors.
Next up, City's Jonathan Spector tops the rankings for all defenders in the league. His smothering defense early on has him over 100 points ahead of the nearest defender in the league in the Audi Index. A great sign for the Lions is that Specs is getting his Index score purely on defense. The rest of the defenders that made the list are benefitting from offensive points, while their defensive performances are lagging well behind Specs' numbers.
Not to be lost in the mix, the only keeper in the Audi Index, City's Joe Bendik. Joe's play speaks for itself. He's been stellar in the Lions' first two matches of 2017 allowing only one goal and picking up eight saves along the way.
