Note: For the latest news and advice regarding MLS Fantasy Soccer follow @MLSFantasy
Round 17 of MLS Fantasy Soccer: Manager was nothing like last week. This week’s high score was only 93 points; eight points higher than the lowest-scoring round of the season so far. Seven different teams were represented on this week’s Dream Team, and surprisingly enough, D.C. United led all teams with three. The average score this week was 46 points and the highest score was 93 points.
Round 17 Statistics
- Average Fantasy Score: 46 points
- Highest Fantasy Score: 93 points
- Transfers made: 13,361
- Wildcards played: 188
- # teams that scored 0 goals: 7
- # teams that scored 1 goals: 3
- # teams that scored 2+ goals: 6
- # clean sheets per round: 7, 2, 5, 6, 3, 3, 6, 6, 4, 7, 7, 4, 5, 4, 3, 5, 7
- # goals scored per round: 24, 21, 17, 16, 22, 16, 14, 22, 27, 17, 41, 29, 27, 26, 16, 25, 17
Dream Team formation: (5-3-2)
Top Player: Rodney Wallace – 17 points
Defenders (5)
If you stuck with Wallace during his three-game absence due to World Cup qualifiers, you reaped some huge rewards. His 17-point performance matched his season-high that came back on May 12. Unfortunately, the Portland Timbers have a bye the next two weeks so if you missed out, you’ll have to wait until he plays again on July 7 (at Columbus).
Sheanon Williams was the second-highest scorer this week and the only other defender to hit double-digits. His 12-point effort was his second-highest effort this season. His best round came last week against the Columbus Crew (13 points).
Corey Ashe, Nat Borchers and Daniel Woolard rounded out the defensive unit this week, notching clean sheets and multiple bonus points in their outings. Six other defenders matched Woolard’s eight-point performance.
Midfielders (3)
Kyle Beckerman led all midfielders this week with 10 points. It was a rather off week for mids, especially since all key players had returned from World Cup qualifiers earlier in the week. Chris Pontius (nine points) scored his first goal of the season and Joel Lindpere (nine points) notched two assists. This was the first DT appearance for all three players. See how the other midfielders performed this week
Forwards (2)
Conor Casey made his second DT appearance and his first since April 21. He and Jack McInerney have now combined to score 15 goals in 16 games for the Philadelphia Union. The problem for most fantasy owners is that you don’t know which one to bet on from week to week.
Federico Higuaín made his third DT performance of the season, while being the only other forward to tally double-digit points in Round 17. Four of his five goals this season have come for the penalty mark. If Dominic Oduro keeps earning penalties, expect Higuaín to keep reaping the benefits.
Goalkeeper – Bill Hamid (10 points)
Hamid recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season, but more importantly the team got their first victory since March 9. This was Hamid’s second double-digit performance. His first came on March 16 (11 points) against the New York Red Bulls. See how the other goalkeepers performed this week
Congratulations to Daniel Holmes (MSP13), who finished Round 17 with 93 points. Daniel got clean sheets from all three of his defenders including Rodney Wallace. His goals came from Higuaín, Magee and Portland’s Will Johnson. His Captain this week was Landon Donovan.
*Dream Team subject to change. All point totals are finalized Wednesday for Rounds ending on Sunday.
