MLS Fantasy Gurus: Get help with Week 3

Dave & Jimmy Bowers

What is it with all the braces this year? We’ve probably seen more this season than at the local orthodontist.

Two weeks ago it was Charlie Davies, Omar Bravo and Eric Hassli, and now this past week Javier Morales, Javier Martina and Chris Wondolowski turned the trick. If you were lucky enough to have these guys on your team, you’re probably off to a very good start. Hopefully they won’t be like two-thirds of the first week's trio and pick up red cards the following week and hurt your team.

Will this trend continue? We’ll have to wait and see.

Here are the MLS links for injuries and discipline, usually updated Tuesdays and Fridays:

//www.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-injury-report

//www.mlssoccer.com/mls-disciplinary-summary

You can also get updates on these and MLS Projected Starting Lineups from us at MLS Fantasy Gurus on Facebook and Twitter every week.

Tip(s) of the week: Don’t play anyone that will be away for the U-20 World Cup qualifying. Those include Perry Kitchen, Zarek Valentin, Amobi Okugo and Omar Salgado. The Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake do not play this week. Also, start setting yourself up for next week when New England and Vancouver play twice.

TOP XI for points:

[inlinenode:312860]GK - Stefan Frei (TOR) - The 24-year-old University of California product has a home game this week vs. Chivas USA. Look for a shutout in this one.

D - Didier Domi (NE) – The former Olympiakos player looked dangerous last week going up and down the left flank in his first MLS game. Look for him to continue bringing pressure, this time on Portland’s back line in a home game at Gillette Stadium.

D - Adrian Cann (TOR) - The former Esbjerg player has a home game at BMO Field against Chivas USA this week and may be able to use his 6-foot-3 frame for a header on goal.

D - Chad Marshall (CLB) - Marshall scored five goals and had two assists in 2009 — good enough for a second consecutive MLS Defender of the Year honor. He has a home game against FC Dallas this week and may be able to exploit a defense that seemed out of sync last week.

M - Shalrie Joseph (NE) - The 2010 MLS All-Star is playing more of an attacking role this year and has two goals in two games. He will be playing at home this week against a Portland team that has allowed five goals in two games so far this year.

M - Chris Wondolowski (SJ) - The 2010 MLS Golden Boot award winner is off to a great start toward reaching that goal again with a brace last week. Look for him to continue that success with a goal this week at home against an underperforming Seattle Sounders team.

M - Dwayne De Rosario (TOR) – Playing at home against a Chivas USA team that has struggled should allow De Ro to get you points this week.

[inlinenode:331454]M - Jamie Smith (COL) – The former Aberdeen and Celtic player has been a revelation this year. With a home game this week at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against D.C. United, look for him to continue his superb start.

F - Landon Donovan (LA) – The 2009 MLS MVP will return from international duty and should be ready to reign terror at the Home Depot Center against a tough Philadelphia Union team that we think will fall apart away from home this week.

F - Zack Schilawski (NE) – The former Wake Forest product plays a home game this week against a Portland team that has struggled defensively so far this season.

F - Omar Cummings (COL) – Back from international duty with Jamaica, Cummings should take over the scoring load with Conor Casey probable for this game at home against D.C. United.

Here are our official teams for Week 3 in the basic game:

FantasyGuruDave’s choices:

GK - Matt Reis (NE), D - Sean Franklin (LA), UTL - Juninho (LA), M - Justin Mapp (PHI), M - Jacob Peterson (TOR), F - Fredy Montero (SEA), F - Zack Schilawski (NE).

FantasyGuruJimmy’s choices:

GK - Matt Reis (NE), D - Taylor Graham (SEA), UTL - Carlos Ruiz (PHI), M - Shalrie Joseph (NE), M - Justin Mapp (PHI), F - Javier Martina (TOR), F - Zack Schilawski (NE).

Questions? Comments? Contact us at mlsfantasygurus@comcast.net