In MLS Fantasy Soccer: Manager, there are rounds when there are no obvious choices of who to pick for your squad. In situations like this, you have to go with your gut feeling and wait to find out if you hit or missed. This round can be one of those.
Other notable remark for Round 18 is D.C. United are the only team that has a bye.
Top XI
Forwards
ÁlvaroSaborío (Real Salt Lake, $10.9 million) – “Sabo” hasn’t added to his seven goals and one assist of the season in his last three games. With a home game at Rio Tinto Stadium where he has scored six of his seven goals, look for the magic eight ball to get in the pocket.
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes, $11.9 million) – Currently MLS’ leading goalscorer with 14 goals and three assists, he’s scored seven goals at home and seven away. This round, Wondo and MLS’ No. 1 team travel to Western Conference worst FC Dallas, who have a 1.5 GAA.
Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders, $9.0 million) – Taking over as Seattle’s main offensive target, Johnson (above) is on fire, scoring three goals in his last three games. His seven goals in 15 games has made him Seattle’s top goal scorer this season.
Midfielders
Marco Pappa (Chicago Fire, $9.4 million) – Pappa has scored two goals in his last three games to up his 2012 stats to five goals and three assists. If he can keep this hot streak going, look for him to score his third home goal of the season this round against a struggling LA Galaxy.
Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City, $9.8 million) – After being quiet for three games in a row, Zusi looks to be back on a run after converting on a penalty kick on Wednesday vs. the Montreal Impact. Going up against the Houston Dynamo this round, look for the free kick specialist to make an addition to his two goals and eight assists of the season.
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake, $8.5 million) – Beckerman has scored a career high four goals this season. He started off this season with three goals in his first 10 games. Since then he has only scored one goal in his last seven games. Look for things to change for him this round as he goes up against the Portland Timbers.
Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact, $7.1 million) – Coming out of nowhere in the expansion side’s last seven games, recording three goals and four assists, he leads the Impact in goals (four) and assists (five). I don’t see him tapping the brakes anytime soon, especially this round going up against the Columbus Crew at Saputo Stadium.
Defenders
Zach Scott (Seattle Sounders, $5.5 million) – Scott and the Sounders recorded their first shutout on Wednesday since May 5 versus the Philadelphia Union. With a home match against the Colorado Rapids, look for their second shutout in a row.
Aurélien Collin (Sporting Kansas City, $7.8 million) – He’s scored three goals and one assist so far this season. After allowing five goals in two games, Collin and Sporting Kansas City managed to allow just one goal against Montreal on Wednesday night. With a home game against the Houston Dynamo, look for their backline to tally a shutout.
Nat Borchers (Real Salt Lake, $7.8 million) – He’s the only RSL defender to score a goal this season. My money is on him to get No. 2 of the season this Saturday vs. Portland.
Goalkeeper
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake, $7.1 million) – He’s registered three clean sheets this season at home and currently has a 1.12 GAA, 45 saves and allowed 19 goals overall. Going up against a Timbers squad that has scored just two goals away and shutout five times, a shutout looks likely here.
Round 18 – GK-Rimando (RSL), DF-Borchers (RSL), Collin (SKC), Scott (SEA), MF-Bernier (MTL), Beckerman (RSL), Zusi (SKC), Pappa (CHI), FWD- Johnson (SEA), Wondolowski (SJ), Saborío (RSL)
