Week 9: MLS Fantasy Player Picks

Well, I sure hope you survived the majesty of the double game week in Major League Soccer fantasy.  Those who kept the faith with the New York Red Bulls and David Villa were appropriately rewarded.  Sometimes, even often, it can be frustrating holding on to players past their due dates, and just as likely, it can also be rewarding.  I have heard it said that MLS enjoys a home field advantage more than any other sport in the United States and this should become even more apparent as the season wears on.

Next week will offer the most double game week fun to date, with 8 teams enjoying a second fixture.  They are:

Vancouver
Colorado
Sporting Kansas City
FC Dallas
Houston
Portland
Chicago
Philadelphia

The schedulemaker has decided to offer Chicago and Philadelphia byes this week, which is a plus and a minus. If you add their players, of course, they will not be available this week, however, they might be less subject to rotation next week, having been rested.

Per usual, my suggestion is to take a hard look at these 8 teams when making your roster selections this week and see where you might contribute to next week's team.  FC Dallas and Toronto are the only ones of the bunch who enjoy two home matches, although Vancouver and surprising Colorado appear to have slightly easier fixtures.

Let's roll with the selections.

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Goalkeepers:

I really can't recommend taking a flyer on a goalkeeper pick this week, but if you need to free some salary space with a punt consider

Jake Gleeson looked marvelous in his Man of the Match performance Sunday night against Toronto.  He costs 4.5.

Todd Worra is still only 4.0 and appears to be holding the challengers at bay at DC United.

Matt Lampson is 4.7 and like Gleeson, enjoys the two games next week.  Chicago, of course, has a bye this week.

It appears Brian Rowe has gotten the nod in Los Angeles as Dan Kennedy has backed him up the past two weeks on the bench.

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Defenders:

Many are adding Jonathan Campbell this week ahead of the double next week. And it is more compelling because he enjoys a double the following week, also.  At only 5.3, he will help with possible salary concerns.

Jordan Harvey and Vancouver have an attractive run of fixtures ahead. He has burst into the third spot in overall points produced by a defender with 48. If you don't have Tim Parker already, he is a bargain at 6.6.

Nuno Coelho has not been subject to the rotation risk at Sporting Kansas City so far. Take that as you will, but he is still only 7.9 and is actually the top scorer among MLS defenders with 60 points.  He also played defensive midfielder for SKC last week as they went with a 3-5-2 in their second match.

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Midfielders:

I managed to hold on to Diego Valeri, who sat out the first match last week after receiving a red card.  He delivered 13 points in his return and you should have him on your squad for next week, at least.

Jermaine Jones has been a revelation at attacking midfield for Colorado and is priced at only 8.2. I expect to add him.

I also like Michael Bradley in Toronto's home opener.  He has returned a minimum of 5 points each game week, that's a high floor. And Toronto FC enjoy two home fixtures next week as a bonus.

Sacha Kljestan accepts a lot of responsibility for the New York Red Bulls team and last week emerged with 14 points. Expect the Red Bulls to try to keep the momentum going against Orlando.

Consider Mauro Diaz, who has returned for FC Dallas. They look better with him in the lineup and he enjoys the two home fixture next week.

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Forwards:

Fenando Adi has proven himself to be a workhorse for Portland delivering 59 points on the season.

David Villa enjoyed a monster week, last week with 2 goals and 15 points.

It is time to get Sebastian Giovinco with the very favorable run of matches approaching, in the event, you already do not have him.

Another workhorse, is Max Urruti for Dallas and he will only set you back 8.6.  Like Diaz, he has two home matches next week.

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Just a quick note about my own team.  I decided to captain Giovinco, playing against a tired Portland defense. The out of form, Villa delivered two goals and I had dropped 100 spots by Sunday afternoon. Valeri and Giovinco saved my week and I find myself at 29th overall, the exact same as last week.

My team, for now, is Worra (Melia) Ciman, Parker, Coelho, Piatti, Fagundez, Feilhaber, Valeri, Urruti, Giovinco and Villa.
I expect to drop Fagundez and Piatti and add Jones and Bradley.  I am also looking to add Diaz and Badgi next week which would give me 9 double game week players (although I probably will not start Badji).

So, how is your team looking?  Who do you like as captain?  Have I missed a player that your x-ray vision has discerned?  Good luck and fair play to all.

Charles