What a low scoring week in MLS! The highest scoring team had two goals, none of the home teams won a game, and five games were ties. If you had Josh Wolff, you're lucky. But if not, don't worry, everyone else had a low scoring week, too.
Pay attention to some of the low priced bargains, such as our top midfielders listed below, and get them on your team now. That way you can spend more money on some of the other high-priced, high performers that are out there. Keep an eye on the salary changes each week and buy your player when they are at a lower price. Eventually, your team will creep up in the standings and get back into contention.
This week, we will note some of the top midfielders in MLS Fantasy Challenge.
Top MLS Fantasy Challenge midfielders:
- Amado Guevara (TOR, 208 pts, $377,000): The 33-year-old Honduran international is at the top of his game. Keep an eye on how he and DeRo work together.
- Marco Pappa (CHI, 156 pts, $247,000): The 21-year-old Guatemalan has been an eye-opener for Chicago.
- Chris Pontius (DC, 156 pts, $175,000): The seventh overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft has been even better than advertised.
- Macoumba Kandji (NY, 149 pts, $ 278,000): Teaming up top with Juan Pablo Angel, Kandji is starting to show how dangerous he can be.
- Paulo Nagamura (CHV, 139 pts, $175,000): Is this his breakout year, or is this a mirage? Only time will tell.
Things to keep an eye out for this week:
Injuries. The following link is updated by the league on Tuesdays and Fridays: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries
Keep an eye on injuries to Ben Olsen (DC), Zach Scott (SEA) and George John (DAL) and adjust accordingly.
Lineup changes. In last week's starting lineups: Bryan Jordan, Mike Magee, Stefani Miglioranzi (LA); Maykel Galindo (CHV); Brad Knighton (NE); Patrick Ianni, Sebastian LeToux (SEA); Jeff Cunningham (DAL); Patrick Nyarko (CHI); Pablo Vitti (TOR); Scott Palguta (COL).
Discipline: Jorge Rojas (NY) is out due to a red card.
Tip(s) of the week: The Columbus Crew have a bye this week. When making trades this week, look to keep/add players from Chicago, San Jose and Columbus to start getting ready for next week when they play two games.
This week's Top XI for points:
Goalkeeper: Pat Onstad (HOU). The 2008 MLS leader in GAA is even better this year, with a 0.75 GAA. Look for him to get a clean sheet this week with a home game against a San Jose team that has only scored one away goal this season.
Defender: Bobby Boswell (HOU). How did D.C. United allow this guy to get away? The undrafted 26-year-old out of Florida International has been a pillar for Houston's defense this year and last. Look for him to help Onstad get a clean sheet this week against San Jose.
Defender: Adrian Serioux (TOR). The 30-year-old Canadian international has come through with two goals from his defensive position. Playing at home at BMO Field against a New England team that has scored only four goals in five away games, expect Toronto's defense to pitch a shutout.
Defender: Dejan Jakovic (DC). The former Red Star Belgrade player has been a steady performer for D.C. United this season, and a welcome addition. Playing at home against a Real Salt Lake team that has not scored a goal away from home should allow Jakovic to collect clean sheet points this week.
Midfielder: Dwayne De Rosario (TOR). Back into top form after an early-season injury, DeRo is beginning to show why Toronto wanted him to obtain him from Houston this offseason. With a home game against a New England team that has allowed nine away goals, look for him to increase his totals of three goals and one assist.
Midfielder: Santino Quaranta (DC). Proving that last year was not a fluke, the Baltimore native is back on track, with one goal and five assists so far this season. Look for him to add to the D.C. offense this week with a home game against an FC Dallas team that is struggling.
Midfielder: Dave van den Bergh (DAL). The 33-year-old Dutchman has not flashed his 2008 form, when he was probably the best player on the Red Bulls. With two assists so far this season, we believe he will add to this total with a home game this week against the Galaxy.
Midfielder: Cuauhtemoc Blanco (CHI). Recently called back into the Mexican national team, the 36-year-old is finally rounding into shape after an early-season injury. Having one goal and five assists on the season and his team having scored 11 away goals, watch for him to increase these totals this week with an away game against the New York Red Bulls.
Forward: Landon Donovan (LA). A threat to score every game, as evidenced by his five goals and three assists in nine games this season, look for the 8-time MLS All-Star to score against FC Dallas.
Forward: Luciano Emilio (DC). The 30-year-old Brazilian had another goal last week, giving him five for the season. Anticipate him getting another one this week with a home game against a Real Salt Lake team that has allowed seven away goals.
Forward: Kenny Cooper (DAL). The 2008 MLS All-Star starter has played lately just like his favorite show, "Lost", mainly because he is not getting good service from his midfield. Look for him to get out of his funk with a game at Pizza Hut Park against the LA Galaxy.
Coach: Dominic Kinnear (HOU). His team plays at home against a struggling San Jose team that has scored one goal and allowed eight goals in three away games this season.
Here are our official teams for Week 10:
Dave:
GK Stefan Frei; DF Omar Gonzalez; DF Jim Brennan; DF Matt Besler; MF Chris Pontius; MF Marco Pappa; MF Mac Kandji; MF Cuauhtemoc Blanco; FW Fredy Montero; FW Juan Pablo Angel; FW Landon Donovan. Coach: Tom Soehn. Bench: MF Robbie Rogers, DF Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, FW Brian McBride. Captain: Landon Donovan.
Jimmy: GK Louis Crayton; DF Chris Tierney; DF Aaron Hohlbein; DF Omar Gonzalez; MF Mac Kandji; MF Chris Pontius; MF Cuauhtemoc Blanco; MF Stuart Holden; FW Landon Donovan; FW Luciano Emilio; FW Brian Ching. Coach Dominic Kinnear. Bench: DF Gerson Mayen, DF Marco Pappa, MF Juan Pablo Angel. Captain: Brian Ching.
Next week's focus: We will take a look at the top defenders who are having an impact this season in MLS Fantasy Challenge.
Questions? Comments? Contact us at mlsfantasygurus@comcast.net.
