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 7:45 pm ET on Wednesday, November 7.
Reminder #2: Eight different teams play again in Round 36. Only the second leg of the Conference Semifinals will count in this round.
Top Player in Round 35: Víctor Bernárdez – 16 points
The second leg of the Conference Semifinals in the MLS Playoffs are here and this round you only get one transfer. Quick hits: Keep your focus on clean sheets and goals, but otherwise change as little as possible. Limit your transfers and you’ll have a better shot at moving on. Good luck everyone!
As always, pay attention to the most recent injury report. Only Andy Najar (DCU) will be sitting out this round due to suspension.
Michael Gspurning, $6.1m, Seattle Sounders (116 points, nine clean sheets)
This game may end up going to penalties, especially if goalkeepers Gspurning and Nick Rimando keep making it so hard for the other team to score. Both are a solid option here; both have conceded just one goal in their last four meetings between the two clubs. Real Salt Lake are strong at home, and Rimando got the deserved praise after Leg 1. But Gspurning also had a great night: 4 saves, a clean sheet, and 8 fantasy points, just one fewer than Rimando.
Thierry Henry, 10.6m, New York Red Bulls (171 points, second among forwards)
After earning only 2 points in the Leg 1 draw in Washington, Henry will probably come out flying early on in Leg 2. Manager Hans Backe is still contemplating whether or not to start Kenny Cooper, which means Henry could be the only true scoring threat to get a full 90 minutes. Plus, RBNY’s 34 (home) goals in the regular season are the third best of any team in the playoffs.
Landon Donovan, $10.8m, LA Galaxy (169 points, third among midfielders)
Stick with Landon this week because you know he’ll be running his tail off. The Galaxy attack played good possession soccer in Leg 1, but they struggled mightily to finish, which contributed to his low fantasy score in the first leg (2 pts). A motivated LD has ability to create chances for himself AND others, but it's a risk because the Quakes backline has the speed to stay with him.
Nick DeLeon, $6.4m, D.C. United (125 points, 12th among midfielders)
The midfielder earned only 3 points in Leg 1. But no matter who he squares off against on Wednesday night — Roy Miller or Heath Pearce — he will have the opportunity to create chances. His speed and touch on the ball, especially in the stormy weather, will pay dividends. Plus DeLeon’s reasonable price tag makes him a low-risk, high reward type of player.
Marc Burch, $4.6m, Seattle Sounders (92 points, 26th among defenders)
Burch has piled up 23 points while playing the entire 90 minutes in each of his last four outings. If manager Sigi Schmid doesn’t think Leo González or Patrick Ianni are ready to hop back into a starting role, look for Burch to get the nod again. This is also a smart move to help you free up some cash for a big name pickup. This game could easily come down to overtime with the way these two defenses have been playing.
