Following a week in which the stars of Major League Soccer were scoring left and right, some of the top players in the league were not heard from much in Week 31.

Due to plenty of players out on international duty, suspensions and a few shocking results, the stars of the league were silent in a week where some of the unsung heroes of MLS stole the spotlight. 

Only a few of the players in the MLS Player Power Rankings made massive contributions to their respective sides, which is why we have a few big leaps in positioning this week.

Continue reading for a look at who the 20 best players are in MLS after 31 weeks of play. 

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Landon Donovan has always been able to change the game both for the United States men's national team and Major League Soccer.

He is the leading scorer for the USMNT, and he has impacted players of all ages. 

How long will he be considered the best U.S. player? 

Watch former U.S. national player Janusz Michallik and Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey discuss Donovan's legacy.

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Next year, Major League Soccer teams will make sure their season-ticket holders are down on the field with them during games.

No, fans won't actually be on the playing field during games. However, pictures of fans will be on player jerseys next season. Season-ticket holders will have the opportunity to submit a photo of themselves to be placed on the numbers on the back of the jerseys.

Here's how the "fan numbers" will be put together, via TheCrew.com:

Each club will make this initiative available to a specific number of qualifying season ticket holders who will be sent an email providing them access to a portal on the club’s website. Those season ticket holders will then be able to select the number (0-9) and the location within that number -- similar to selecting a seat for air travel -- and upload their picture.

The special numbers will be worn during the entire month of August next year. Every jersey—home, away and alternate—worn by teams will have the special numbers.

Of course, fans will be able to purchase the unique jerseys.

This jersey featuring photos of fans has yet to be done by any of the major North American sports leagues. However, a collegiate summer baseball team did wear a jersey made up of fan selfies in 2014.

The MLS will not be taking this idea to that level, but the league is doing what it can to get fans involved with teams.

[Columbus Crew]

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There were several storylines involved when the Los Angeles Galaxy visited FC Dallas on Sunday evening. Dallas was looking to clinch its first playoff berth since 2011, while the Galaxy was looking to gain the upper hand on the Seattle Sounders in the race for the Supporters' Shield. The biggest story of all was what would perhaps be the final appearance of Landon Donovan at Toyota Stadium.

The cool Texas evening caused by a light misting rain could not dampen the buzz surrounding this matchup. Every corner kick Donovan stepped up to take was captured by thousands of camera flashes and cellphone pictures. These pictures were accompanied by a handful of ovations during the second half as Dallas fans said goodbye to the American soccer icon.

Even with the overwhelming focus on the Galaxy's No. 10, the game provided plenty of excitement. Despite FC Dallas enjoying the bulk of chances in the first half, it was the Galaxy who took the lead on a sublime chip from Stefan Ishizaki. The goal was created when Gyasi Zardes was sent down the wing by Alan Gordon. The resulting cross was headed away, but only to the feet of Ishizaki, who opened himself some space toward the end line before completing an incredible chip from short range.

Dallas tried to get level before the break but was thwarted in its efforts. Unable to turn a hefty advantage in corner kicks into a goal, Dallas headed into the break down by one. 

The second half opened at a little slower pace, with the Galaxy looking to draw FC Dallas up the field and hit them on the counter. FC Dallas got the breakthrough they needed when Andres Escobar drew the attention of the defense before slipping David Texeira through on goal. Texeira's first-time strike beat Jaime Penedo and leveled the game at the 52nd minute.

The next half hour saw both teams trade some tantalizing chances as Alan Gordon and Fabian Castillo both saw tough angle efforts scream across the goalmouth. It would be Castillo, however, who would seal the spoils for FC Dallas in the 87th minute.

Escobar played the role of creating the opportunity off of an FC Dallas throw-in. The Colombian midfielder collected the ball and drove a vicious shot from an angle that Penedo parried into the path of Castillo who headed into the open net from 10 yards out.

Dallas had to hold on with 10 men, as only two minutes later Moises Hernandez was given a straight red for a reckless challenge from behind. Dallas was able to hold on through four minutes of injury time for a 2-1 victory.

The loss leaves the Galaxy with a huge match at home against Seattle next Sunday that may determine home-field advantage for the playoffs. Dallas can turn its attention to trying to wrestle the third seat in the west from Real Salt Lake in the final two games.

Dallas fans got to say goodbye to a legend while welcoming the playoffs back to Dallas. It was for Hoops fans the best of nights. For this writer, it was a special night, as we celebrated my son's eighth birthday. Many thanks to FC Dallas, as they know how to provide a wonderful atmosphere for kids, making these occasions lifetime memories. Happy Birthday Tristan!

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After a season full of exciting games, things are coming down to the wire in Major League Soccer's regular season.

In the Eastern Conference, Sporting Kansas City, the New England Revolution and the New York Red Bulls all punched their playoff tickets, while in the West, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas did the same.

There's one playoff spot left in each conference, and there were some great goals to look at.

Check it all out in this week's edition of 5 Things We Learned from MLS.

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In a week full of player absences and matches with massive playoff implications, a few unexpected stars rose to the occasion for their respective clubs in Major League Soccer.

From a three-goal comeback by Columbus to a young player starring for Real Salt Lake, the top players from Week 31 came in all different shapes and sizes.

Add in a few top showings from league veterans and you have the latest MLS Team of the Week, which is shaped in a 4-5-1 formation. 

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After some wild, unpredictable results in Week 31, clarity has begun to shine on the Major League Soccer playoff picture. 

The once-chaotic Eastern Conference saw a few teams clinch playoff berths, while two clubs on the opposite side of the playoff positions were eliminated. 

In the Western Conference, the race for fifth place became clearer after a shocking win by the Vancouver Whitecaps away at the Seattle Sounders. 

Thanks to those results, and a few other happenings across the league, we had no trouble determining who the winners and the losers were in MLS this weekend. 

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Between increasingly difficult playoff races, and players away on international duty, Week 31 will produce plenty of hurdles for teams in Major League Soccer to get over. 

Some of the teams affected by the circumstances will shake them off and win, but some will stumble due to the growing pressure. 

With those two factors in mind, we decided to make some bold predictions about five big games this weekend. The other game involved features two teams few people want to watch right now. 

Continue reading on for a look at our six bold predictions for the upcoming MLS weekend. 

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With three weeks left in the Major League Soccer regular season, there are still plenty of things to be determined in regards to the playoff race. 

Luckily for us, there are quite a few crucial games in Week 31 that could determine which teams are in the driver's seat to clinch a spot in the playoffs. 

Three of those key clashes come from the Eastern Conference, where the race for the final two playoff spots gets murkier as the weeks move on, which is terrific for those who love chaos. 

As we look at the 10 key battles to watch this weekend, we will put the magnifying glass on the matches in Philadelphia, New York and Houston, as well as a few clashes in the Western Conference. 

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As the 2014 MLS season draws to a close, Bleacher Report will examine the 10 best players in each position from this campaign. The Top 10 goalkeepers and defenders have already been revealed, with three lists left in the series.

In part three, the 10 best defensive midfielders in 2014 will be analyzed. Only midfielders who play in a deep-lying role will be considered.

These players will be ranked based on their defensive contribution and passing abilities. Mental attributes such as anticipation and positioning will also be included in the criteria.

Here are the 10 best defensive midfielders of the 2014 MLS season.

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