Despite being undefeated in their last four matches (3-0-1), the Seattle Sounders have struggled defensively. They've conceded 10 goals in their past five games and haven't recorded a clean sheet since March 23.
But who needs defense when your offense, more specifically – Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and Lamar Neagle – is blowing people away.
Consistency on the attacking front is the key in MLS Fantasy, and right now there's no better trio (on one team) worth investing in. With that said, it should come as no surprise that they've been added by more than 3,500 fantasy managers so far in just this week alone.
But instead of taking my word for it, or the word of thousands of your fellow fantasy owners, have a look at the numbers for yourself.
Passing
Accurate and cutting passing in the final third is integral to attacking success, and Seattle have been phenomenal in and around their opponents' 18-yard boxes.
They've recorded 85 key passes (third-best in MLS) and are second-best in the league in big chances created (nine). They've converted 10 big chances in 2014 (one via penalty), one less than league-leaders FC Dallas (11).
Player |
Position |
Selected |
Price |
Total Score |
Key Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Obafemi Martins |
FWD |
14.1% |
$9.6 |
48 |
<strong>15</strong> |
Gonzalo Pineda |
MID |
0.3% |
$7.5 |
33 |
<strong>14</strong> |
DeAndre Yedlin |
DEF |
29.2% |
$7.7 |
35 |
<strong>10</strong> |
Clint Dempsey |
MID |
29.9% |
$10.8 |
64 |
<strong>9</strong> |
Lamar Neagle |
MID |
11.0% |
$7.6 |
47 |
<strong>7</strong> |
Osvaldo Alonso |
MID |
5.0% |
$7.3 |
32 |
<strong>7</strong> |
Dylan Remick |
DEF |
46.1% |
$4.4 |
25 |
<strong>5</strong> |
Shooting
Passing helps get you closer to goal, but if you don't shoot, you won't score. Seattle aren't afraid to pull the trigger and they do so very efficiently.
- Goals: 18 (T-1st)
- Total Shots: 114 (T-2nd)
- Shots On Goal: 48 (1st)
- Shooting Accuracy: 42 percent (1st)
Dempsey, Martins and Neagle have combined for 14 goals, seven assists and 31 key passes through eight games. They've accounted for 73 percent of Seattle's shots on goal and 80 percent of big chances converted.
As a group, they combined for 24 points in Round 7 and 31 points in Round 8. Currently they rank No. 1, No. 7 and No. 9 overall in FSM.
Player |
Position |
Selected |
Price |
Total Score |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<img alt="Seattle Sounders FC" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_16.png" title="Seattle Sounders FC"> |
Clint Dempsey |
MID |
30.0% |
$10.8 |
<strong>64</strong> |
<img alt="FC Dallas" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_6.png" title="FC Dallas"> |
Mauro Díaz |
MID |
26.5% |
$8.6 |
<strong>55</strong> |
<img alt="Real Salt Lake" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_14.png" title="Real Salt Lake"> |
Kyle Beckerman |
MID |
19.9% |
$10.0 |
<strong>54</strong> |
<img alt="D.C. United" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_5.png" title="D.C. United"> |
Fabián Espíndola |
FWD |
6.6% |
$8.4 |
<strong>53</strong> |
<img alt="Chivas USA" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_2.png" title="Chivas USA"> |
Erick Torres |
FWD |
18.5% |
$8.8 |
<strong>48</strong> |
<img alt="Philadelphia Union" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_12.png" title="Philadelphia Union"> |
Zac MacMath |
GK |
16.8% |
$5.4 |
<strong>48</strong> |
<img alt="Seattle Sounders FC" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_16.png" title="Seattle Sounders FC"> |
Obafemi Martins |
FWD |
14.2% |
$9.6 |
<strong>48</strong> |
<img alt="D.C. United" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_5.png" title="D.C. United"> |
Bobby Boswell |
DEF |
5.7% |
$8.1 |
<strong>47</strong> |
<img alt="Seattle Sounders FC" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_16.png" title="Seattle Sounders FC"> |
Lamar Neagle |
MID |
11.1% |
$7.6 |
<strong>47</strong> |
<img alt="Columbus Crew" class="ismShirtData" src="http://cdn.ismfg.net/static/mlsf/img/shirts/data_view/shirt_4.png" title="Columbus Crew"> |
Federico Higuaín |
FWD |
23.0% |
$11.0 |
<strong>46</strong> |
When Dempsey leaves for the World Cup in mid-May, it'll be interesting to see how Seattle fill the void and if his absence affects the team's current form. But for now everything is clicking, and you can't afford to miss out on what Starting Lineup's Andrew Wiebe would call a "points bonanza."
Only two teams other than seattle have recorded three straight wins this season. No other team has managed four straight. On Saturday, the Sounders – and their deadly trio – will try to accomplish that feat when they take on the Philadelphia Union at CenturyLink Field (10 pm ET, MLS Free Stream of the Week). As a fantasy manager, you'd be foolish not to try to take advantage.
Plus, they've got a double-game week in Round 10. You'd know that if you watched this video.
