Another week of MLS, another trio of braces! Week 3 saw Caleb Folan (Colorado Rapids), Teal Bunbury (Sporting KC) and Camilo (Vancouver Whitecaps) scoring two goals for their team.
What’s significant about this is each player was filling in for a teammate who was out because of discipline (KC's Omar Bravo, Vancouver's Eric Hassli) or just getting back from international duty (Colorado's Omar Cummings).
[inlinenode:332866]So who are the hidden gems to look for this week? How about these players:
Mauro Rosales (SEA) - The former River Plate player looks like the maestro that the Seattle Sounders have been missing.
Nizar Khalfan (VAN) - The catalyst for Vancouver’s offense last week when he entered the game.
Fabién Castillo (FCD) - The 18-year-old former Deportivo Cali player just ready to breakout for FC Dallas.
Simon Dawkins (SJ) – The former Tottenham Hotspur attacker looks like someone who can ignite the San Jose Earthquakes offense.
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: The New England Revolution and Vancouver play twice. The Portland Timbers and Kansas City are idle. Start lining up your players for the following week when Toronto FC, Chicago, the LA Galaxy and Portland play twice.
TOP XI for points:
GK- Jay Nolly (VAN): It is important in this season's MLS fantasy game to get a goalie who plays twice because of being able to earn 10 points just for playing. Add to that the number of saves, and the 2010 D-2 Goalkeeper of the Year should be your choice.
D- Alain Rochat (VAN): The former FC Zürich player has two games this week, one at home against the Revolution and the other away vs. the Houston Dynamo.
[inlinenode:330389]D- Chris Leitch (SJ): With his ability to feed the ball to his forwards, look for the former UNC product to get you an assist in his home game at Buck Shaw Stadium against Toronto FC.
D- Omar Gonzalez (LA): The 2009 MLS Rookie Of the Year plays against a D.C. United team that just can’t match up with his height. Look for him to put his head on one of Beckham’s free kicks in this one.
M- Shalrie Joseph (NE): The Revolution captain plays in two games this week. He begins his week away vs. Vancouver and then returns home to play against Real Salt Lake. Look for him to add to his current two goals that he has on the season in one of these games.
M- Chris Wondolowski (SJ): With a home game this week against Toronto, look for the 2010 Golden Boot Winner to continue to show that his 18 goals in 2010 were no fluke.
[inline_node:328001]M- Nizar Khalfan (VAN): Anyone who watched this 22-year-old Tanzanian international running up and down the flanks last week can see a player ready to bust out. With two opportunities this week, look for him to do just that.
M- David Ferreira (DAL): The 2010 MLS MVP has a home game against Colorado this week at Frisco Park and will be looking to open his scoring account in this one.
F- Eric Hassli (VAN): Vancouver’s DP was out last week with a red card and will be looking to duplicate his first week's brace. He’ll have two opportunities for that with a home game vs. New England and away against Houston.
F- Sebastien Le Toux (PHI): The hard-working 2010 MLS All Star is looking to get off the schneid this week with a home game against the New York Red Bulls.
F- Juan Pablo Angel (LA): The 35-year-old Colombian plays against a D.C. United defense that has been in disarray. Look for him to get his second goal of the season in this one.
Here are our official teams for Week 4 in the basic game:
FantasyGuruDave’s choices:
GK- Matt Reis (NE), D- Sean Franklin (LA), UTL- Juninho (LA), M- Shalrie Joseph (NE), M- Jacob Peterson (TOR), F- Javier Martina (TOR), F- Zack Schilawski (NE).
FantasyGuruJimmy’s choices:
GK- Matt Reis (NE), D- Taylor Graham (SEA), UTL- Javier Martina (TOR), M- Shalrie Joseph (NE), M- Nizar Khalfan (VAN), F- Eric Hassli (VAN), F- Zack Schilawski (NE).
Questions? Comments? Contact us at mlsfantasygurus@comcast.net
