Fantasy Fixes: Stock up on RSL and Dallas in Week 8

Ben Jata

Reminder #1: The cut-off time to make roster changes is 15 minutes prior to the scheduled kick off of the first match of the week. This week, that deadline is 8:15 pm ET on Wednesday, April 25.

Reminder #2: Sporting KC have a bye this week. Get these players out of your lineup.

Top Player in Week 6: Chris Pontius (DC United) – 18 points

Key Injuries: OUT – Roy Miller, Alejandro Moreno DOUBTFUL – Brad Davis, Corey Ashe

Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas play two games each this week. If you haven’t benefited from players with multiple games yet, you’re missing out. There are a lot of points to be had, so make the extra transfer if you need to free up some cap room. With that said, here’s five ways to maximize your roster for Week 8.

Tony Beltran, $7.1m, Real Salt Lake (36 points, T-7th among defenders)
GOAL: Perez heads home winner

Last time Real Salt Lake had two games, Tony Beltran was the point leader for the week (17). FC Dallas and Toronto FC are averaging a combined 0.9 goals per game. Dallas might get a goal at home, but TFC’s scoring issues are evident with goals from just two players thus far. Beltran has seven or more points in three games this season and averages 4.5 points/game. RSL have another two-game week coming up very soon so he has extra value going forward.

Jon Busch, $6.0m, San Jose Earthquakes (38 points, 4th among goalkeepers)

After losing four starters and two key defenders for their Western Conference battle against RSL, San Jose feel pretty good about taking over sole possession of first place in the West. Philadelphia have scored just four goals this season and Quakes defenders Justin Morrow and Steven Beitashour are amongst the Top 10 in total points for defenders. Busch is averaging 13 recoveries per game so he should net you at least four points, even without a clean sheet. San Jose play multiple games in Week 8 so Busch is a solid investment either way.

Blaz Pérez, $9.6m, FC Dallas (38 points, 5th among forwards)

Normally this would be a no-brainer, unfortunately the leader in both goals and assist for FC Dallas has no extra value this week after receiving a one-game suspension from the Disciplinary Committee for his foul on Jordan Harvey. If you’ve already used your transfer on him, don’t act irrationally. Pérez is a top 5 forward and he’ll be playing multiple games a few weeks from now. He’s also tied for second in key passes and first in BCCs among all forwards in MLS.

BCC – Big Chance Created (+1 point for each)
Raymon Gaddis, $4.0m, Philadelphia Union (6.5 ppg, 2nd among defenders)

Danny Califf has been upgraded to “probable” after missing the last two games with a right hamstring strain. While this would normally be a bad thing for Gaddis, multiple red cards in last week's game will force the Union to switch things up. Williams should move up to midfield if Califf returns, leaving Gaddis at right fullback for another week. The upside here is price, the downside is their opponent: the Earthquakes. I benefited from making this move two weeks ago. So what does this move do for you now? It frees up money for what you really want: Wondo!

Álvaro Saborío, $10.9m, Real Salt Lake (25 points, T-14th among forwards)

Saborío is the only forward on RSL who should get serious minutes in both games this week. Fabián Espíndola is out for game one so Paulo Jr. will most likely get the start against Dallas. Toronto FC’s defense is struggling to say the least – so look for things to get worse before they get better. FC Dallas have problems of their own. They’ve given up at least one goal in six of seven games and 10 goals (tied for fifth-most in MLS) total thus far. Saborío also has value when it comes to taking penalty kicks. He’s a little pricey, but RSL plays the Revs at home next week and have another multi-gamer scheduled the week after.

Honorable Mentions: possible starters due to injury…FW Casey Townsend (CHV), DF Connor Lade (NY)