What a difference a week makes! Toronto started the year with a midfield that would struggle to compete in MLS. After this week's acquisitions of Amado Guevara and Rohan Ricketts and the recent addition of Laurent Robert to go with Maurice Edu and Carl Robinson, this has suddenly changed into one of the best midfields in the league.
What does this do for fantasy? Just take a look at TFC's game this past week with the LA Galaxy. The midfield was able to keep possession and distribute to the forwards, with three different forwards scoring in the game. That after having one goal in the first two games.
Also, take a look at New England's injuries. You would think that by losing Taylor Twellman, Chris Albright and Steve Ralston, the Revolution offense would just freeze up. But with the fleet-footed Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally, the 19-year-old Gambians, that didn't happen. We all saw what they could do in the Kansas City game on Wednesday, with Mansally scoring a goal and assisting on Nyassi's second goal of the year. But in Saturday's game, New England was shut out at home by Colorado. Which offense will show up the rest of the way? Only time will tell.
This week's focus: Top five undervalued midfielders:Sainey Nyassi (NE, $240,000). Where did this guy come from? OK, we know, he's a Gambian under-20 international, but who thought he would be this good? Another gem mined by Nicol and Mariner.
Robbie Rogers (CLB, $285,000). The 20-year-old Rogers has come on strong this year. His two goals in last Saturday's game against Chivas was just a start.
Stuart Holden (HOU, $237,000). Holden is becoming a regular on the international scene, first with the U.S. under-23s, and is sure to be with the full U.S. national team eventually. As soon as he gets past some nagging injuries, look out!
Andre Rocha (DAL, $175,000). The 23-year-old Brazilian has started in his first three games of the year and has contributed two assists so far. Look for more to come out of him.
Dave van den Bergh (NY, $289,000). Switching van den Bergh to the central midfield looks like a great move by Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio. The Dutchman has some great forwards in Juan Pablo Angel and Jozy Altidore to finish off his deft touch passes.
Tip of the week: Usually the top performers for the week are coming from the home team. Play the percentages and use a home team coach and goalkeeper, since their wins count for points. Only three teams (Houston, New England, D.C.) were better than .500 on the road last year.
This week's Top XI for points:Goalkeeper: Bouna Coundoul (COL). Bouna has a home game this week. He has excelled there, allowing only 11 home goals last season, and had a shutout in this season's opener. Playing offensively challenged San Jose, this sure looks like it will be his second home, and third overall, shutout of the year.
Defender: Mike Randolph (LA). The U.S. U-23 international has speed to burn up and down the left flank. His sweeping crosses will connect with someone in the Galaxy's home game against Houston.
Defender: Gonzalo Peralta (DC). The 6-foot-2 Argentinian has had many opportunities to finish a header off a set piece this season, but just hasn't been lucky enough to hit the net. United's Thursday night home game against Columbus is live on ESPN2. Maybe the national TV spotlight will help Peralta get that goal.
Defender: Jose Burciaga Jr. (COL). The attack-minded defender has found the back of the net once already this season to go along with an assist. With San Jose in town this week, he could receive shutout points also.
Midfielder: Amado Guevara (TOR). Amado had an assist in his first game back in MLS. Look for the former league MVP to continue to get better as the season progresses as he becomes more accustomed to his new teammates.
Midfielder: Christian Gomez (COL). The 2006 MVP has looked very good in his first three games with his new team. Look for him to excel against the expansion San Jose team this week, unless the injury he suffered Saturday holds him back.
Midfielder: Fred (DC). The 28-year-old Brazilian will be playing at home this week against Columbus. After the excellent first season he had last year, he is ready to get back on the right track this week.
Midfielder: Cuauhtemoc Blanco (CHI). A "bunny hop"? Are you kidding? Blanco has brought an excitement to MLS, and has actually exceeded expectations. Look for him to bring more of that this week at home against Kansas City.
Forward: Luciano Emilio (DC). The reigning MLS MVP has had a rough start to the season. Look for him to break out of his slump this week at "Estadio RFK," where he seems to excel.
Forward: Landon Donovan (LA). What more is there to say about Landon? He has started the season with three goals and one assist and doesn't look like he is ready to end it any time soon. With another home game this week, bank on it!
Forward: Josmer Altidore (NY). With four caps already with the U.S. national team, the 18-year-old Jozy has become the new offensive hope for the USA. Playing at home against New England should give him the chance to show it.
Our official teams for Week 4:
Dave:
GK Jon Busch; DF Stephen Keel; DF Tyson Wahl; DF Marc Burch; MF Eddie Gaven; MF Arturo Alvarez; MF Fred; MF David Beckham; FW Josmer Altidore; FW Landon Donovan; FW Luciano Emilio. Coach Tom Soehn. Bench: GK Matt Reis, MF Sacha Kljestan, FW Kenny Mansally.
Roster moves: Traded MF Carlos Marinelli for MF Fred, traded Curt Onalfo for Tom Soehn, traded FW Claudio Lopez for FW Josmer Altidore, moved Luciano Emilio to forward, and moved Kenny Mansally to bench.
Jimmy:
GK Jon Busch; DF Stephen Keel; DF Tyson Wahl; DF Marc Burch; MF Cuauhtemoc Blanco; MF David Beckham; MF Fred; MF Dave van den Bergh; FW Luciano Emilio; FW Josmer Altidore; FW Landon Donovan. Coach: Ruud Gullit. Bench: MF Dax McCarty, MF Stuart Holden, FW Omar Cummings
Traded GK Matt Reis for MF Fred; traded MF Carlos Marinelli for MF Dave van den Bergh; traded FW Claudio Lopez for FW Josmer Altidore. Moved MF Dax McCarty to bench for MF Fred.
Next week's focus: We take a look at the undervalued defenders.
Questions? Comments? Contact us at mlsfantasygurus@comcast.net.
