MLS Fantasy Boss: Derbies and defense the right way to recover after a lackluster Week 7

Reid Connelly

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BYES IN ROUND 8: MTL, SJ
UPCOMING DOUBLE GAME WEEKS: COL, NY (Rd 9)
Bonus Points: Who are the most dependable players in MLS Fantasy?
Fantasy Doctor: Look to high-flying Red Bulls if your team needs a boost

If you’re feeling down about your score from Round 7 (that poor excuse for a DGW), cheer up. There are many, many other players in the same boat. Fortunately, Round 8 has NO DGWs and that gives us time to catch our breath, regroup, and focus on getting players to help replace those who were injured and suspended last week.

Goalkeepers

The Wall: After seven weeks, the New York Red Bulls are at the top of the Eastern Conference and still the only team to not allow any goals at home. Normally LA would be a significant danger to this record, but with Robbie Keane set to miss Sunday's contest, Luis Robles ($5.6) could be set for another home clean sheet.
Min Max: If you are looking to maximize your home games, then Tyler Deric (HOU $5.1) is once again your man. Over the next four weeks, Houston plays five games and four of them are at home! The only person who has scored on Deric at home this season? Deric himself.
Clean Sheet Chance: Even after a rough start, it’s New England’s Bobby Shuttleworth ($5.5) who has the best chance for a clean sheet. The numbers don’t lie, he has the third-best home concession record in the league and Real Salt Lake have only scored one away goal in three games. Ouch.

Defenders

On Form: The only thing I love more than a cheap CB is an in-form cheap CB. With Columbus’s form on the rise,

MLS Fantasy Boss: Derbies and defense the right way to recover after a lackluster Week 7 -

Emanuel Pogatetz
($6.5) meets both of these conditions. Columbus does not have a DGW for a while, but if they are able to earn a couple more clean sheets, he could increase your team value to cash in before Round 10.

Value Risk: If you need another cheap defender to replace the suspended Rafael Ramos, then consider Matt Miazga (NY $5.6). He’s little more expensive, but for the price you get a much better chance at bonus points and a cheap way into the New York Red Bulls home clean sheet machine.

The Replacement: After Ike Opara’s unfortunate injury, Sporting Kansas City needed to find a replacement and Kevin Ellis ($6.0) answered the call last week. Sporting may have lost, but Ellis earned four bonus points from his 19 CBIs. If he can keep producing numbers like this, then he’ll be a great investment over the coming weeks.

Midfielders

Derby Man
: Nothing brings out a player's scoring instinct like a good derby match and Seattle vs. Portland is as big as they get. This makes
Clint Dempsey
(SEA $11.3) a strong contender for must have status this week. He’s been recovering from a nagging hamstring injury, but I expect 90 minutes from him in Round 8 and to again be a key player in the Seattle scoring machine.

Away Form: Many of Toronto’s players have been disappointing this season, but over the past two rounds Sebastian Giovinco ($11.4) has found a vein of form and racked up three goals and one assist. Orlando has allowed one goal during every home game so grabbing Giovenco could pay off if you’re a manger who likes risky differentials.

DGW Prep: Few Colorado players are worth picking up now for their Round 9 DGW, but Dillon Powers ($7.7) is one of them. He has a goal and two assists in his last two games, and has already proven he can score against Dallas’ defense.

Forwards

Wright-Stuff
: I’ll admit that I was one of the
Bradley Wright-Phillips
(NY $11.0) skeptics at the start of the season, but after earning two goals and three assists in four games, I have to say that his offensive potential may not be a one season blip. With LA allowing almost two goals in every away game, BWP is worth adding before his Round 9 DGW.

Bang for Buck: If you’re still fuming over round seven, then adding Kei Kamara (CLB $8.4) to your team could be one of your most satisfying trades. Not only can you drop David Villa, but Kamara’s current form gives him a great chance to score against Philadelphia.

Derby Man 2: The last time Obafemi Martins (SEA $11.4) played against Portland, he scored two goals. With Dempsey back in the mix and the increased goal-scoring threat from Lamar Neagle, Portland’s defense may be stretched too thin to prevent Oba from scoring again this weekend.

Who are you planning to bring in to recover from round seven, or did you come out near the top of the pack?
Share your thoughts in the comments below or stop by MLS Fantasy Boss to chat with other managers and check out my other fantasy charts and tips before you finalize your trades. Good Luck!

Reid Connelly -

@MLSFantasyBoss

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