With this one final round to go in Fantasy Soccer: Manager, it looks like it’ll be a battle between “Bea’s Bonnet” and “Crew Cut” for the FS:M crown and the Grand Prize: A VIP trip for two to the 2013 MLS Cup. Location, of course, to be determined.
Not an owner of one of those two teams? Don’t worry! There’s still plenty of exciting prizes up for grabs such as an MLS Foosball Table, MLS Prize Packages, Official MLS Jersey, Official MLS Scarf and our favorite, a subscription to MLS LIVE 2013! So, good luck to those two teams and everyone else – including the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo, of course.
Field Player to Buy- Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy, $11.3 million)
Keane has been phenomenal this postseason, converting on five goals in the Galaxy’s last three games against two of the best defensive clubs in the league: the Seattle Sounders and the San Jose Earthquakes. In this span, he’s averaged 11 fantasy points per game and one goal for every 90 minutes. Additionally, Keane has shown a bright future for the Galaxy, notching 16 regular season goals (0.57 goals/game) for a total of 21 goals this season (0.64 goals/game). With Saturday’s match being hosted at the Home Depot Center, where he’s scored 11 goals this season – and assisted on the 2011 MLS Cup game-winner – don’t be surprised if he leads the Galaxy to a repeat title.
Field Player to Sell- David Beckham (LA Galaxy, $9.8 million)
Even though this will be Beckham’s last competitive game with the Galaxy and there will be high emotions, I don’t think we’ll be seeing Becks producing any fantasy points for your team. Why? Well first, Ricardo Clark, one of the league’s best defensive midfielders, will be in his grill all night. In addition, Beckham hasn’t scored a goal since September 1 (eight games) or even registered an assist since July 21 (11 games). Since his last assist, he’s averaged 4.73 fantasy points per game, which isn’t too bad, but it’s nothing significant to help your fantasy team.
Goalkeeper to Buy- Josh Saunders (LA Galaxy, $7.2 million)
It’s always nice being the home team’s goalkeeper. You get to play in front of your fans, family, and friends, feeling comfortable, giving you the advantage, which is why I’m going with Saunders. In 14 home games that Saunders appeared in during the regular season, he and the Galaxy backline allowed just 15 goals (1.07 GAA), going 10-4. They continued this momentum going into the playoffs by allowing just five goals in five games (1.00 GAA), allowing multiple goals just once and averaging five fantasy points per game. With that being said and knowing what this game means to the Los Angeles Galaxy organization, Saunders is the way to go.
Goalkeeper to Sell- Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo, $7.2 million)
Don’t get me wrong, Hall is an excellent goalkeeper and has a bright future in front of him, but I always go with the home team. In 17 regular season away games this season, Hall and Houston’s backline allowed 29 goals (1.71 GAA). Nonetheless, they’ve picked it up in the playoffs, allowing just four goals in five games (0.80 GAA) and haven’t allowed multiple goals in a single game. In addition, Hall’s averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game, more than Saunders. However, even though statistically Hall seems like the best choice, it’s the facts that he’s the away goalkeeper. Add in the Galaxy’s motivation to win for Beckham, and it’s a simple choice.
Surprise Player This Round- Mike Magee (LA Galaxy, $7.8 million)
Magee is one of those players you want to have on your playoff team no matter what. In 2009 he bagged a pair, including one in the Cup. Last season, he scored five goals in the regular season and out of nowhere scored an additional three in the playoffs. Well, history has repeated itself as he scored five goals in LA’s defending title campaign, scoring another three goals this postseason and averaged six fantasy points per game. Is Mike Magee the “Mr. November” of MLS? I say yes.
Surprise Player Last Round- Zach Scott (Seattle Sounders, $5.2 million)
In the second leg of the Western Conference Championship, Scott and the Sounders gave the Galaxy a little scare, nearly coming back from a 3-0 first-leg deficit. Both Scott and the 2012 MLS Comeback Player of the Year Eddie Johnson scored to make it 3-2. However, Keane would add the final nail in the coffin in the 68th minute as the Sounders would lose 2-1, being eliminated in the MLS Cup Playoffs 4-2 in aggregate. In addition to his goal, Scott tallied an assist, three defending bonuses and played all 90 minutes for a grand total of 14 points. It was the first time he tallied more than two fantasy points in 14 games.
