With the international break resulting in only five MLS teams playing last week, choices for MLS Fantasy managers were limited. Those who believed in the Montreal Impact and their double-game week were rewarded, as six players from that club made the round’s 105-point dream team.
Leading the way for the Montreal group, and indeed all scorers with 16 points, was goalkeeper Evan Bush, who saved a penalty kick in the Impact's first game and posted a shutout in the second. Defenders Donny Toia and Laurent Ciman joined him. Up top for Montreal was the only forward on the dream team, Didier Drogba, who finished with 14 points after scoring in each game.
The rest of the dream team’s back line came from the 0-0 draw between FC Dallas and the Vancouver Whitecaps. The result kept the race for the Western Conference tight, and it also gave bonuses to Pa Modou Kah, Tim Parker, and Je-Vaughn Watson.
The dream midfield included both goalscorers in the New York Red Bulls' win over Montreal: Sacha Kljestan (despite his saved penalty kick) and Lloyd Sam. The Impact players who rounded out the midfield, Nigel Reo-Coker and Dilly Duka, just had a light dusting of bonus points.
The highest round score was achieved by Sarsa’Asprilla, who had the (not uncommon) foresight to captain Drogba while dressing eight of 11 players who made the dream team. With the captain bonus, Sarsa’Asprilla’s round score was five points higher than the dream team, scoring 110 points on the week.
From the week that was to the week ahead, there’s plenty of good news for fantasy managers. First, some logistics:
- The transfer deadline is Wed., Oct. 14 at 7 pm ET.
- On Wednesday, there are three games, and five of the six participants have two matches in Round 33 (Vancouver only play once). Sporting Kansas City are also on a double, as their midweek tilt next week against Colorado counts for this round.
- There are unlimited free transfers this round.
- Use the MLS Injury Report, Disciplinary Report very carefully.
Transitioning from last round to this one is like transitioning from summer clothes to fall (if your area has seasons; it’s still a million degrees in Los Angeles). Dallas and the Red Bulls participated last round, so hold onto your performers from that bunch. They’re the transition pieces, as as heavy-hitting double-gamers replace some of your Impact guys.
Running with what worked last round, we need a goalkeeper who’s on a double and looking at a probable clean sheet. Might I suggest …
Nick Rimando - Goalkeeper - Real Salt Lake - ($6.4m) - With only two rounds left, and this round a universal wildcard, I’m going back to Week 1 strategy: I’m splurging on starters, and that starts with this guy, who gets to play twice at home this round. He’s been released from national team camp and should be good to go.
Kellyn Acosta - Defender - FC Dallas - ($6.4m) - Just missed out on the dream team despite a second straight solid fantasy performance. Dallas and Vancouver played to a goalless stalemate last time, and Acosta owners will be hoping they do it again.
Dom Dwyer - Forward - Sporting Kansas City - ($10m) - Call it a wedded bliss bonus? Sporting need a huge performance from him in these crucial next few games, so I’m guessing that all should be enough to fire him to some fantasy gold.
How’d you do last week? Any tips for the week ahead? Let us know in the comments below.
