Here are a few tips to help you select your squad for Round 26 of Fantasy Soccer: Manager before Wednesday night’s action begins. Three teams play twice: Columbus Crew, D.C. United and Toronto FC. No team has a bye.
Field Player to Buy
Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact, $7.4 million) – Bernier and expansion side Montreal Impact are currently on a four-game winning streak, scoring nine goals along the way. Bernier has registered a goal and two assists during this span. This round, Montreal host a D.C. United side currently mired in a four-game road losing streak, during which they’ve been outscored 10-3. Keep in mind that D.C. also host Chicago at RFK Stadium on Wednesday, so they may be at a disadvantage going up against fresh-legged Montreal. The Impact lead the league for most penalty kicks earned (8) and Bernier has taken five of them, not missing once. He is also ranked third among midfielders for “points per game” (5.9) and “value form” (0.8). In addition, Bernier is first among midfielders for most times on the Dream Team (6). At $7.4 million, you are definitely getting more bang for your buck.
Field Player to Get Rid of
Saer Sene (New England Revolution, $7.8 million) – Sene has only recorded three or more fantasy points twice in his last eight games, scoring just one goal. He’s not the only one that hasn’t been producing for the Revs, however. They’re 0-5-2 in their last seven games, scoring just three goals during that stretch. Maybe trading captain Shalrie Joseph wasn’t the best idea after all. Going up against a Columbus Crew squad that has allowed just 24 goals, second-fewest in the league, I wouldn’t place any bets on Sene earning you significant fantasy points.
Goalkeeper to Buy
Andy Gruenebaum (Columbus Crew, $5.9 million) – Gruenebaum and the Columbus Crew are the only team to play at home twice this week. First he’ll take on Toronto FC, whom he’s already shut out in a 1-0 win back on March 31 at BMO Field. Second is the New England Revolution, who’ve scored just two goals in their last four away matches. At Crew Stadium this season, Gruenebaum has allowed only 12 goals and holds a record of 5-3-2. Little surprise that he’s currently ranked second among all goalkeepers for total points (126). The majority of these points have come from being second in saves (82) and fifth in shutouts (7). He has also been on the Dream Team more times than any other netminder (4).
Goalkeeper to Get Rid of
Milos Kocic (Toronto FC, $5.1 million) – Even though TFC play twice this week, I don’t think it’s a good idea whatsoever to have Kocic on your fantasy team, simply because both games are away (Columbus and Houston). TFC are 2-7-2 on the road this season, allowing 22 goals – which adds up to a whopping 2.00 goals-against average. Toronto are also tied in last for number of shutouts this season (3). With Columbus fighting for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and Houston scoring 13 goals in their last five home games, I’d avoid Kocic at all costs.
Surprise of This Round
Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes, $7.8 million) – With teammates Chris Wondolowski and Steven Lenhart taking up the spotlight this season for the Earthquakes, it might be easy to forget that Gordon has nine goals. Amongst all players in the league who’ve taken part in a significant amount of their team’s overall minutes, he has the highest “goals scored per 90 minutes of play” (0.98). With Lenhart suspended this round after last weekend’s red card and opposing teams typically focused on defending Wondolowski, look for Gordon to sneak in his 10th strike of the season.
Surprise of Last Round
Sal Zizzo (Portland Timbers, $6.8 million) – Going into last round, Zizzo had earned just nine fantasy points overall. That all changed as he tallied a goal and two assists in two games, earning a significant 17 points.
Jimmy Bowers is a former MLS fantasy champion.
