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 12:45 pm ET on Wednesday.
Reminder #2: The Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Philadelphia Union, Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake are all without a game in Fantasy Round 20.
Top Player in Round 19: Chris Wondolowski – 20 points
Key Injuries: OUT – Danny Koevermans, Eric Hassli, Rafa Márquez, Steven Lenhart, Blas Pérez, Bernardo Añor, Jan Gunnar Solli
Round 20 action kicks off earlier than usual with New York and Chicago squaring off at 1pm on Wednesday. Get to a computer as soon as possible or use your phone to log on and set your lineup. As always, monitor the injury report and all suspensions. With that said, here are five picks that should put you in a good position to win your midweek matchup.
Landon Donovan, $10.6m, LA Galaxy (105 points, T-first among midfielders)
In his last six games, Donovan has five goals, four assists and 58 total points. The Galaxy have tallied 17 goals in the same span, but this week LA will be visiting the Vancouver Whitecaps, who lead the league in clean sheets this season. Frankly, I don’t think it matters that much. The Galaxy are clicking right now. They’re going to score goals. David Beckham and Robbie Keane are also solid pickups this week, but I like Donovan in his current role to continue being a significant threat for opposing defenses. His speed and vision are still among the best in MLS, which is why he’s earned a 12th-straight MLS All-Star appearance. Invest in one of the three Galaxy players listed above and you shouldn’t be disappointed.
Darren Mattocks, $5.8m, Vancouver Whitecaps (36 points, 607 minutes played)
Last week Mattocks made his first Dream Team appearance of the season. With Eric Hassli struggling, and now sidelined with an injury, it looks as if the starting spot at center forward is all but secured, at least for the moment. We’ll have to wait and see where new Designated Player Kenny Miller fits into the Whitecaps lineup. If he doesn’t start in Wednesday’s game, he could be subbed in for Mattocks sometime in the second half. Regardless, Mattocks’ form is hard to ignore. The Jamaican rookie had played just one minute up until week 10 of the season. Since then he’s logged just more than 600 minutes to go along with 35 total points. He’s got six goals since round 13 and he’s the cheapest forward who’s producing at this point. Buy Mattocks and he should free up a considerable amount of money to spend on someone else.
Boniek García, $7.5m, Houston Dynamo (20 points, 360 minutes played)
Coming into his most recent game against D.C. United, García had connected on just one cross and one key pass. With United playing with 10 men for most of the game, the Honduran tallied four crosses and three key passes, while adding a goal and his second assist of the season as well. The Dynamo have shifted their lineup to a 4-3-3 with García securing the right midfield position, and he hasn’t been subbed out since making his debut on June 30. If you’ve had the pleasure to watch him play, you know he’s got the skills to pay the bills. García gives Houston a new look, and opposing teams will now have to give him more attention than they may want to at this point.
Bill Gaudette, $4.5m, New York Red Bulls (15 points, 360 minutes played)
Gaudette came up with some huge saves in the Red Bulls’ 2-2 tie against a visiting Sounders squad. Their backline still has some work to do if they want to start logging clean sheets, particularly facing a Chicago Fire team that’s gone 3-1-1 in their last five matches (W-W-T-L-W) with three clean sheets. But if you have a keeper that’s off this round and don’t have much to spend on a replacement, Gaudette has secured the start for Wednesday’s match.
Dan Kennedy, $6.0m, Chivas USA (89 points, T-fifth among goalkeepers)
Chivas play at home against a team sitting at the very bottom of the Western Conference standings. In addition to that, the Portland Timbers have not scored an away goal since Week 8. The Goats will be without their general, Oswaldo Minda, but don’t let that deter you from picking up Ben Olsen’s backup keeper for this year’s All-Star Game. Kennedy has recorded clean sheets in his last two outings and his recent All-Star selection should make him play with even more intensity this week. You can bet that his teammates will do everything in their power to keep his net as clean as possible, too. Kennedy has the best matchup for all goalkeepers in Round 20.
The Most
Most added transfer this week: Chris Wondolowski – Most dropped transfer this week: Kyle Beckerman
