Reminder #1: The cut-off time to make roster changes is 15 minutes prior to the scheduled kick off of the first match of the week. This week, that deadline is 7:15 pm ET on Wednesday, April 18.
Reminder #2: New England and Seattle have a bye this week. Get players from both teams out of your lineup.
Top Player in Week 6: Aurélien Collin (Sporting KC) – 15 points
Key Injuries: OUT – Brad Davis, Julio Cesar, Shea Salinas, Victor Bernardez, Roy Miller, Josh Wolff
Three teams play multiple games this week (Sporting KC, D.C. United and Vancouver). If you have a player on any of these teams, consider making them your captain. Extra transfers will cost you a 4-point deduction, but choose your moves correctly and you’ll make up the difference with ease. With that said, here are my top 5 Beasts and Bargains heading into Week 7.
Dwayne De Rosario, $10.9m, D.C. United (28 points, T-4th among midfielders) – BEAST
WATCH: DeRo's bike sets up Santos
Prediction:15 fantasy points. With two home games this week, look for D.C. to come out guns blazing. DeRo has dropped in price, but he’s still accumulating points. Montreal have traveled more than 4,000 miles in the past week, and the Red Bulls have given up 10 goals in six games (five goals in three road games). With injuries to both Wilman Conde and Roy Miller – and a probable suspension coming for Rafa Marquez – DeRo should have his way with both teams.
Rauwshan McKenzie, $5.2m, Chivas USA (19 points, T-13th among Defenders) – BARGAIN
Last Week: 9 points. McKenzie has played every single minute in 2012. After last week’s performance vs Toronto FC (21 CBI’s and a clean sheet) he jumped from 26th to 13th in total points (among defenders). Philadelphia have scored just 3 goals in 5 games this season, and at $5.2m, Rauwshan is a great bargain, especially with Week 6 MLS PotW Dan Kennedy minding the net.
CBI’s – Clearances, Blocks, Interceptions (Combined)
Graham Zusi, $9.9m, Sporting KC (42 points, 1st among Midfielders) – BEAST
When you’re the main distributor on a team that’s taken 105 shots in 6 games, your sweat reeks of fantasy potential. Zusi is tied for fifth in total points among all players and he’s assisted on four of Sporting’s six game-winners so far. Last year, he had 7 assists in 32 games played, but at his current rate (6 assists in 6 games), he’ll surpass his previous best come Sunday night. His price went up .2m this week. Don’t wait any longer. Now's the time to buy.
Andy Gruenebaum, $4.6m, Columbus Crew (25 points, 11th among Goalkeepers) – BARGAIN
Prior to the Red Bulls’ game, Gruenebaum was averaging 7.3 points/week (first among goalkeepers). His opponent this week, Houston, will still be without their captain (Brad Davis), as well as Colin Clark. With Will Hesmer out indefinitely, the only thing holding Gruenebaum back is the health of Danny O’Rourke and Julius James. Unfortunately, more center back problems have surfaced after Chad Marshall missed yesterday’s practice with a virus. Hopefully it clears up because Gruenebaum's asking price makes him an attractive fill-in if your goalkeeper is on a bye.
Sporting KC Defenders, 7–7.5m, (38-50 Points, Top 4 Defenders in FS:M) – BEASTS
SKC’s streak of not allowing a shot on goal ended at 335 minutes, but Jimmy Nielson has yet to allow a goal in the last 337 minutes. Their starting backline has tallied a league-high 19 clean sheets and Colin is the only defender in MLS with multiple goals (2). He’s also averaging 10 CBI’s and 10 recoveries per game as well. Traveling could wear on SKC, but there’s “clean sheet” potential against both of this week's opponents (Vancouver and Portland).
Honorable Mentions: possible starters due to injury... DF Raymon Gaddis (PHI), DF Connor Lade (NY)
The Most
Most added transfer this week: Nick DeLeon | Most dropped transfer this week: David Estrada
Need some extra help with your fantasy team? Tweet your questions to @Ben_Jata.
