GO TO MLS FANTASY SOCCER: MANAGER HOME
Reminder #1: The cut off time to make roster changes is 15 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff of the first match of the week. This week, that deadline is 6:45 pm ET on Wednesday, September 19.
Reminder #2: FC Dallas are the only team without a game in Fantasy Round 29.
Top Players in Round 28: Álvaro Fernández – 21 points
Key Injuries:OUT - Dwayne De Rosario, Corey Ashe, Diego Chara, Donovan Ricketts, Kwame Watson-Siriboe
Round 29 will run from 9/19-9/23. Eight different teams are scheduled to play multiple games.
The big news is that Dwayne De Rosario is out for the rest of the season after injuring his left knee in a recent game with the Canadian national team. Take this opportunity to unload him (and his hefty salary) and use the extra cash to pick up one or more of the big name players listed below.
As always, pay attention to this weeks’ injury report and don’t forget to review the list of suspensions as well. You should also examine the entire list of yellow-card accumulations because those scheduled to play multiple games may not always be worth picking up.
Graham Zusi, $9.9m, Sporting KC (150 points, T-second among midfielders)
In his last 11 games, Zusi has been extremely productive, recording five or more points in every single outing. He leads all players in crosses (81) and key passes (83), and is tied for third in assists (nine). He also ranks 11th in points per game (5.8), and if he plays anything like he did last week (tallying five points in attacking bonuses), you’ll be kicking yourself for not grabbing him when you had the chance. Sporting KC have a couple tough matchups on the road in Round 29 – including Wednesday vs. the New York Red Bulls – however both teams they’re playing can be a little sloppy defensively at times. Give him the armband come game time and watch the points pile up.
Thierry Henry, $10.7m, New York Red Bulls (138 points, second among forwards)
Henry was remarkable last week and his olimpico will probably win him goal of the week honors, but that’s not the only reason why you should be adding him to your team this week. For the Red Bulls, Henry is a creator – first among forwards in assists (nine) and second in both crosses and key passes. This is a big reason why he’s scored five or more points in seven of his last nine matches. Sporting KC have given up the fewest goals (25) in MLS, but Henry will not have another multi-game round the rest of the season. Take this opportunity to capitalize on his recent form and consider holding onto him throughout the playoffs as well.
Chris Wondolowski, $11.9m, San Jose Earthquakes (155 points, second among all players)
The Earthquakes have 58 goals in 28 games this season. Wondolowski has 19 of them – or roughly 33 percent. With De Rosario out for the year, it’d be wise to shift your money to Wondo. Fredy Montero has just one game this week (against San Jose) and Eddie Johnson will be out due to yellow-card accumulations, which means Wondo is a “must-have.” After all, this is his final multi-game round of the season. If that isn’t enough, remember, he’s scored in two of his last four games and he’s always ready to hammer home a PK when called upon.
Carlos Valdés, $6.8m, Philadelphia Union (112 points, ninth among defenders)
Philadelphia will most likely miss the playoffs this year, but that shouldn’t stop them from coming out and competing. Valdes is seventh in CBIs and 10th in recoveries among defenders. The Union are one of the few teams scheduled to play multiple games in two different rounds to finish the season – five games in the next three rounds to be exact. They play a couple tough matchups this round, but both will be at home. Also to note, Valdés has seven or more points in three of the last four rounds (two clean sheets, one goal).
Bill Gaudette, $4.8, New York Red Bulls (50 points, 20th among goalkeepers)
New York have the only starting 'keeper listed at less than $5.0m playing in multiple games this round. If you’re looking to clear up some cap space, this is a good route to go. The Red Bulls don’t have great matchups in Round 29, but Sporting KC have shown that they can struggle to score at times. Gaudette has just one clean sheet in his last five games, but this move isn’t about getting the best keeper for your money. Your making this move to free up cap space. Look for Gaudette to bring in six to eight points this round, anything more would be an added bonus.
The Most
Most added transfer this week: Graham Zusi
Most dropped transfer this week: Dwayne De Rosario
