To be successful in MLS Fantasy Soccer: Manager it's important to consider every angle when it comes to choosing your Starting XI. Certain matchups may look terrible on paper, but when you start diving into the facts, things typically look better (or worse) than you once thought.
Today we're going to take a closer look at the individual matchups for the Top 3 most-transferred IN players for Round 23.
San Jose Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers (10:30 pm ET, MLS Live) - Buck Shaw Stadium
Rodney Wallace is back from international duty with Costa Rica and the most-transferred IN player so far this round. Wallace has played 883 minutes over the course of 14 games in 2013. He has four goals, five assists and three big chances created. He has a ton of upside as a defender playing up top, but I'm not completely sold on him this week.
In seven away games he's averaging 5.4 points/game. Not bad numbers, but over the course of the season he's averaging 6.8 ppg. In those seven away games, only once has Portland recorded a clean sheet. And that came against D.C. United on May 25. Over 14 games, he's only gotten the crossing bonus one time and the key pass bonus twice.
Two meetings in 2013: Rodney Wallace vs. San Jose Earthquakes (4/14/13, 4/21/13)
- 180 minutes played, two shots (zero on target), one clean sheet (at home)
Match Facts
- Portland have one clean sheet in six games against San Jose
- Portland have conceded at least one goal in each of the three games at Buck Shaw Stadium
- Portland have failed to score in their last three away games
- San Jose are undefeated in their last nine matches at home
- San Jose have scored 21 goals in 2013 (14 home, 7 away)
- Portland have scored 30 goals in 2013 (16 home, 14 away)
- San Jose have conceded 30 goals in 2013 (11 home, 19 away)
- Portland have conceded 18 goals in 2013 (6 home, 12 away)
Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew (2 pm ET, MLS Free Stream of the Week) - BMO Field
The second-most transferred IN player this week is Federico Higuaín, and for good reason. Higuain leads MLS with 85 key passes, ranks second among all players in successful crosses (45) and fourth overall in points, with 117. I'm digging it, now let's take a closer look at the facts.
Last Meeting: Federico Higuaín vs. Toronto FC at BMO field (5/18/13)
- 64 total touches, five shots (one on target), five key passes, one successful cross
Match Facts
- Higuaín averages 4.4 key passes/game (5.6 home, 3.4 away)
- In their last meeting at BMO field (5/18), Columbus won 1-0
- Columbus averages 12 shots/game (4.2 on goal) at away games
- Toronto FC concedes 11.5 shots/game (on average) at home
- Columbus have scored 20 goals this season (13 away, 7 home)
- Toronto have conceded 28 goals this season (14 home, 14 away)
- Toronto FC have not won at home in their last nine games
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Philadelphia Union (7 pm ET, MLS Live/Univision Deportes) - BC Place
Camilo Sanvezzo is the third-most transferred IN player this week and the second-highest scoring forward in MLS Fantasy with 112 points. Since becoming a regular start in Round 9, Camilo has scored six points or more on nine of 13 ocassions, and in his last 10 matches he's tallied double-digit totals five times. He's also one of the first to the ball when it comes to taking set-pieces near the box.
I only have two cons with Camilo: 1) He rarely plays the full 90 minutes. In 20 games, he's played the entire game just six times. 2) In three matches between the two teams, only two goals have been scored. Other than that, Camilo is on fire and a must-start if you have him. Here's why.
Match Facts
- Camilo has scored 11 goals in his last 10 games (six at home)
- Vancouver have not lost in their last 10 home games
- Vancouver have scored 17 goals in their last six home games
- Philadelphia have conceded 11 goals in their last six away games
- Vancouver have scored 33 goals in 2013 (23 home, 10 away)
- Philadelphia have conceded 30 goals in 2013 (13 home, 17 away)
So there you have it. Is Wallace still a lock in your opinion or are there better options out there? Between Camilo and Higuaín, who would you rather have as your Captain? Leave your thoughts below. Good luck, everyone!
